Kenya horned viper

Kenya horned viper

Kenyan horned viper

Kingdom
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Subphylum
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Genus
SPECIES
Bitis worthingtoni

Bitis worthingtoni, also known commonly as the Kenya horned viper and the Kenyan horned viper, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic Kenya. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

Animal name origin

The specific name, worthingtoni, is in honor of British zoologist Edgar Barton Worthington, collector of the first specimen.

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Common names for B. worthingtoni include Kenya horned viper and Kenyan horned viper.

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Appearance

B. worthingtoni usually grows to a total length (including tail) of 20 to 40 cm (7.9 to 15.7 in), with a maximum total length of 50 cm (20 in).

Distribution

Geography

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Biogeographical realms

The preferred natural habitats of B. worthingtoni are grassland, rocky areas, savanna, and shrubland. B. worthingtoni is restricted to Kenya's high central Rift Valley at elevations of 1,500–2,500 metres (4,900–8,200 ft). The type locality given for B. worthingtoni is the "shore of Lake Naivasha ".

Kenya horned viper habitat map
Kenya horned viper habitat map

Mating Habits

B. worthingtoni is viviparous.

Population

Population number

In 2004, a proposal was submitted by Kenya to have B. worthingtoni listed on CITES Appendix II. The actual status of the species was unknown, but it was reasoned that the Kenyan proposal was justified due to the species' restricted geographic range, habitat loss, demand by reptile collectors and the existence of illegal trade. In 2019, B. worthingtoni was listed as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

References

1. Kenya horned viper Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya_horned_viper
2. Kenya horned viper on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22473714/22473718

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