Atractaspis congica
| Atractaspis congica | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Atractaspididae |
| Genus: | Atractaspis |
| Species: | A. congica |
| Binomial name | |
| Atractaspis congica W. Peters, 1877[1] | |
Atractaspis congica, or the Congo burrowing asp, is a species of venomous snake in the Atractaspididae family.[2] It is endemic to Africa.[3]
Description
Uniformly dark brown or black both dorsally and ventrally. Snout very short and rounded. Portion of rostral visible from above about half as long as its distance from the frontal. Smooth dorsal scales in 19 or 23 rows. Ventrals 200-230; anal divided; subcaudals 19-23, a few of the anterior entire, the remainder in two rows. Adults may attain a total length of 45 cm (17 3⁄4 in), with a tail 3.5 cm (1 3⁄8 in) long.[4]
Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized.
- Atractaspis congica congica W. Peters, 1877
- Atractaspis congica leleupi Laurent, 1950
- Atractaspis congica orientalis Laurent, 1945[5]
References
- ↑ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ↑ "Atractaspis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
- ↑ Spawls, S. & Branch, B. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Oriental Press, 1995. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ↑ Boulenger, G.A. 1896. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History), Volume III., Containing the Families...Viperidæ. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I. - XXV. (Atractaspis congica, p. 513.)
- ↑ Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). www.itis.gov.
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