Atheris nitschei

(Tornier, 1902)

Vernacular names
English : Great lakes bush viper
French : Vipère arboricole des grands lacs

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Viperidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a maximum length of 75 cm. Body and head scales strongly keeled. Head well distinct from body. Coloration bright green, becoming yellow on lower flanks and belly. Black spotting on head and back.

Range and habitat
The species is found in eastern Africa, from south-west Uganda and east DR Congo to Rwanda, Burundi and extreme north-west Tanzania, maybe to Zambia. Lives in montane forests and papyrus swamps, up to 2300 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a fairly small range but seems to be safe so far although it’s not considered to be common in the wild.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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