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VenomLand :: Viperidae :: Bitis
 

 Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification

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4 posters
AuthorMessage
Israel M. Sánchez
Snakemaster
Snakemaster
Israel M. Sánchez


Male
Number of posts : 259
Age : 51
Location : Madrid- Spain
Points : 5621
Registration date : 2010-02-03

Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Empty
PostSubject: Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification   Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Icon_minitimeWed 3 Feb - 17:22
Hi all.

I need some help with the identification of a dwarf Bitis species. We find it south of Lüderitz (Namibia) in the old Sperrgebiet area. You can find pics of it here: http://israelms.smugmug.com/gallery/6161019_sUPvk#555209434_ewzvn (my photography web page, look at page 2 to find the adder)

I have tried to identify it using Marais (2004), but it is not clear for me what species it is.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Very Happy
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Ludvig Edlund
Snakekeeper
Snakekeeper
Ludvig Edlund


Male
Number of posts : 46
Age : 32
Location : Sweden
Points : 5338
Registration date : 2010-01-29

Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Empty
PostSubject: Re: Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification   Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Icon_minitimeWed 3 Feb - 18:06
I think i'ts Bitis schneideri.
Here are the Bitis of Namibia: http://www.jcvi.org/reptiles/search.php?taxon=&genus=Bitis&species=&subspecies=&author=&year=&common_name=&location=namibia&holotype=&reference=&submit=Search

And this one looks a bit like yours.
http://www.bitis.at/Bitis%20schneideri%20male%20189x.jpg

Greetings
Ludvig.
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Israel M. Sánchez
Snakemaster
Snakemaster
Israel M. Sánchez


Male
Number of posts : 259
Age : 51
Location : Madrid- Spain
Points : 5621
Registration date : 2010-02-03

Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Empty
PostSubject: Re: Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification   Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Icon_minitimeWed 3 Feb - 18:10
Yes, it appears to be B.schneideri. This was my first on-sight identification, but after comparing the pics of Marais (2004) with mine I had doubts due to color pattern differences.

Thanks!
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Rob Deans
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Rob Deans


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Number of posts : 322
Age : 43
Location : South Africa
Points : 6212
Registration date : 2008-04-24

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PostSubject: Re: Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification   Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Icon_minitimeWed 3 Feb - 20:37
That is Bitis caudalis. Sperregebiet has these unusual looking animals with reduced horns. In 2 of the pictures you can make out the horns.
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Israel M. Sánchez
Snakemaster
Snakemaster
Israel M. Sánchez


Male
Number of posts : 259
Age : 51
Location : Madrid- Spain
Points : 5621
Registration date : 2010-02-03

Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Empty
PostSubject: Re: Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification   Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Icon_minitimeWed 3 Feb - 20:51
Ok, so B. schneideri never show horns? They appear very clearly in the picture that shows the adder in defensive stance, but I didn't know that Sperrgebiet B. caudalis have these very reduced horns. All pictures I have seen depicting that species showed animals with way more developed supraorbital structures.

So thanks for the info, Rob.
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Rob Deans
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Snakemaster
Rob Deans


Male
Number of posts : 322
Age : 43
Location : South Africa
Points : 6212
Registration date : 2008-04-24

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PostSubject: Re: Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification   Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Icon_minitimeWed 3 Feb - 20:59
No, schneideri do have slightly raised supraorbital tufts but not horns as such.

I know a herpetologist who was in Sperregebiet 3-4 months back and he too mentioned these caudalis with drastically reduced horns. They have been sent off to be "looked at"

The colour is also not typical of schneideri but do resemble caudalis.
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Israel M. Sánchez
Snakemaster
Snakemaster
Israel M. Sánchez


Male
Number of posts : 259
Age : 51
Location : Madrid- Spain
Points : 5621
Registration date : 2010-02-03

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PostSubject: Re: Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification   Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Icon_minitimeWed 3 Feb - 21:09
Yes, the color issue raised a lot of doubts to me, because it seems a faded or turned-to grey caudalis pattern.

So finally they are B. caudalis. Smile

Thanks for the help.
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Mikael Andersson
Snakekeeper
Snakekeeper
Mikael Andersson


Male
Number of posts : 66
Age : 48
Location : Sweden
Points : 5383
Registration date : 2009-12-24

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PostSubject: Re: Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification   Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Icon_minitimeThu 4 Feb - 2:40
Hi

Extremely nice pictures you got there!!!
It made me want to go there right now
Regards from Sweden
Micke
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http://www.kryp.smugmug.com/
Israel M. Sánchez
Snakemaster
Snakemaster
Israel M. Sánchez


Male
Number of posts : 259
Age : 51
Location : Madrid- Spain
Points : 5621
Registration date : 2010-02-03

Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Empty
PostSubject: Re: Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification   Dwarf Namibian Bitis identification Icon_minitimeThu 4 Feb - 4:01
Thanks Micke!
Namibia is a beautiful place to visit, yes.

Regards
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