Bitis Worthingtoni
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''Bitis worthingtoni'', also known commonly as the Kenya horned viper and the Kenyan horned viper, is a
species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
venomous snake Venomous snakes are Species (biology), species of the Suborder (biology), suborder Snake, Serpentes that are capable of producing Snake venom, venom, which they use for killing prey, for defense, and to assist with digestion of their prey. The v ...
in the
subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...
Viperinae The Viperinae, or viperines, are a subfamily of vipers endemic to Europe, Asia and Africa. They are distinguished by their lack of the heat-sensing pit organs that characterize their sister group, the subfamily Crotalinae. Currently, 13 genera a ...
of the
family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Viperidae The Viperidae (vipers) are a family of snakes found in most parts of the world, except for Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, and various other isolated islands. They are venomous and have long (relative to non-vipers), hinged fangs tha ...
. The species is
endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...
. There are no
subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
that are recognized as being valid.


Etymology

The
specific name Specific name may refer to: * in Database management systems, a system-assigned name that is unique within a particular database In taxonomy, either of these two meanings, each with its own set of rules: * Specific name (botany), the two-part (bino ...
, ''worthingtoni'', is in honor of British zoologist
Edgar Barton Worthington Dr. Edgar Barton Worthington, M.A., Ph.D., (Cantab)., CBE (13 January 190514 October 2001) was a British ecologist and science administrator. Biography His parents were Edgar and Amy Worthington. His early education was at Rugby School, before he ...
, Beolens B, Watkins M,
Grayson M Grayson may refer to: Places Canada * Grayson, Saskatchewan * Rural Municipality of Grayson No. 184, Saskatchewan United States * Grayson, California * Grayson, Georgia ** Grayson High School * Grayson, Kentucky * Grayson, Louisiana * Gray ...
(2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. . (''Bitis worthingtoni'', p. 289).
collector of the first specimen.


Common names

Common names for ''B. worthingtoni'' include Kenya horned viper Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G (2003). ''True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers''. Malabar Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. .Spawls S, Branch B (1995). ''The Dangerous Snakes of Africa''. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. . and Kenyan horned viper.


Description

''B. worthingtoni'' usually grows to a total length (including tail) of , with a maximum total length of .


Geographic range and habitat

The preferred natural
habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...
s of ''B. worthingtoni'' are
grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur natur ...
, rocky areas,
savanna A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to ...
, and
shrubland Shrubland, scrubland, scrub, brush, or bush is a plant community characterized by vegetation dominated by shrubs, often also including grasses, herbs, and geophytes. Shrubland may either occur naturally or be the result of human activity. It m ...
. ''B. worthingtoni'' is restricted to
Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...
's high central Rift Valley at elevations of . The type locality given for ''B. worthingtoni'' is the "shore of Lake Naivasha
enya Enya Patricia Brennan (; ga, Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin; born 17 May 1961), known professionally by the mononym Enya, is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician known for modern Celtic music. She is the best-selling Irish solo arti ...
.


Reproduction

''B. worthingtoni'' is
viviparous Among animals, viviparity is development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. This is opposed to oviparity which is a reproductive mode in which females lay developing eggs that complete their development and hatch externally from the m ...
.


Conservation status

In 2004, a proposal was submitted by Kenya to have ''B. worthingtoni'' listed on
CITES CITES (shorter name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of interna ...
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."''Bitis worthingtoni'' "
CoP13
a
Species Survival Network
Accessed 8 October 2006.
In 2019, ''B. worthingtoni'' was listed as "Vulnerable" by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natu ...
.


References


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). {{Taxonbar, from=Q2904911 worthingoni Snakes of Africa Reptiles of Kenya Endemic fauna of Kenya Taxa named by Hampton Wildman Parker Reptiles described in 1932