Bitis worthingtoni explained

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 to Kenya. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

Etymology

The specific name, worthingtoni, is in honor of British zoologist Edgar Barton Worthington,^[1] collector of the first specimen.

Common names

Common names for B. worthingtoni include Kenya horned viper^{[2] [3]} and Kenyan horned viper.^[1]

Description

B. worthingtoni usually grows to a total length (including tail) of 20to, with a maximum total length of 50cm (20inches).^{[2] [3]}

Geographic range and habitat

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^[2] at elevations of 1500m-2500mm (4,900feet-8,200feetm). The type locality given for B. worthingtoni is the "shore of Lake Naivasha [Kenya]".^[2]

Reproduction

B. worthingtoni is viviparous.

Conservation status

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.^[4] In 2019, B. worthingtoni was listed as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Further reading

• Fleck J (2003). "Bemerkungen zur Kenia-Hornpuffotter, Bitis worthingtoni, sowie Beobachtungen bei der Haltung und Vermehrung [= Comments on the Kenya puff adder, ''Bitis worthingtoni'', with observations on its care and breeding]". Elaphe 8 (3): 20-23. (in German).
• Parker HW (1932). "Scientific results of the Cambridge Expedition to the East African Lakes, 1930–1. — 5. Reptiles and Amphibians". Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 38: 213-229. (Bitis worthingtoni, new species, p. 221).
• Spawls S, Howell K, Hinkel H, Menegon M (2018). Field Guide to East African Reptiles, Second Edition. London: Bloomsbury Natural History. 624 pp. . (Bitis worthingtoni, p. 581).

Notes and References

1. [Richard Allen "Bo" Crombet-Beolens|Beolens B]
2. [David Mallow (herpetologist)|Mallow D]
3. Spawls S, Branch B (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. .
4. "Bitis worthingtoni ". CoP13 at Species Survival Network. Accessed 8 October 2006.