Causus defilippii

Causus defilippii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Causinae
Genus: Causus
Species: C. defilippii
Binomial name
Causus defilippii
(Jan, 1863)
Synonyms
  • H[eterodon]. De Filippii Jan, 1863
  • Causus (Heterophis) rostratus
    Günther, 1863
  • Causus rostratus — Mocquard, 1892
  • Causus defilippii — Mocquard, 1892
  • Causus defilippii — Boulenger, 1896
  • Causus dephillippii
    Rose, 1955 (ex errore)[1]

Causus defilippii is a venomous viper species found in East Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.[2] Its common name is snouted night adder.[3][4]

Etymology

The specific name, defilippii, is in honor of Italian zoologist Filippo De Filippi.[5]

Description

The average total length (body + tail) is 20–35 cm (about 8-14 inches), rarely exceeding 50 cm (20 in).[3]

The head is short and wide, and the snout is prominent, pointed and upturned. The rostral is large. The eyes are medium-sized. The circumorbital ring consists of 1–2 preocular scales, 1–2 postoculars and 1–2 suboculars that separate the eye from the supralabials. There are a total of 6–7 supralabials and 7–10 sublabials. The first 3–4 sublabials are in contact with the anterior chin shields. The posterior chin shields are very small and indistinguishable from other posterior scales. The temporal scales number 2+3, sometimes 2+4, and rarely 1+2.[3]

Midbody there are 16–18 rows of weakly keeled dorsal scales that have a velvety appearance. There are 108–128 ventral scales: rarely more than 117 in males, or less than 118 in females. The anal scale is single. The divided subcaudals number 10–19: seldom less than 14 in males, or more than 15 in females.[3]

The color pattern consists of a light brown, pinkish brown to gray or grayish green ground color, overlaid with a series of 20–30 crescent-shaped dark markings that run down the back. However, these marking may be indistinct. The head has a characteristic V-shaped marking with the apex on the frontal plate. There is also an oblique dark streak present behind the eye. The belly is yellowish while, uniformly colored or with scattered small grayish brown spots. Juvenile specimens are commonly a glossy black or gray.[3]

Geographic range

Found in coastal Kenya and Tanzania through eastern Africa (Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique) to South Africa (Northern, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces) as far south as Durban, and on the island of Unguja.

The type locality was originally listed as "Buenos Ayres", obviously a mistake. It was restricted by Broadley (1971) to Africa, Puku.[1]

Habitat

Occurs in moist and dry savanna, coastal thickets and forests from sea level to around 1,800 m (5,900 ft) altitude.[6] They favor moist surroundings, but have also been found in dry areas on rocky hillsides and escarpments.[3]

Behavior

Generally nocturnal, but not entirely. They are mostly terrestrial, but sometimes climb into low vegetation in pursuit of frogs and are also good swimmers. When not basking, they remain hidden in ground cover, brush piles, and in holes. If disturbed, they inflate themselves and hiss.[3] They are slow-moving for the most part, but can strike quickly.[6] In captivity, however, they soon become tame and unwilling to strike.[3]

Venom

Little is known about the venom, but the symptoms described in the few existing cases histories include rapid swelling, fever, sometimes intense pain and occasionally lymphadenopathy. The swelling usually subsided after 2–3 days and there have not been any reports of necrosis. Currently, there is no antivenin that provides protection against bites from this species.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. ↑ "Causus defilippii". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 1 August 2006.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company. Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
  4. ↑ Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  5. ↑ Beolens, Bo; Michael Watkins; Michael Grayson. 2011. The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore. xiii + 312 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Causus defilippii, p. 67.)
  6. 1 2 3 Spawls S, Howell K, Drewes R, Ashe J. 2004. A Field Guide To The Reptiles Of East Africa. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd. 543 pp. ISBN 0-7136-6817-2.

Further reading

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