Atheris hispida is a venomous viper species endemic to Central Africa. It is known for its extremely keeled dorsal scales that give it a bristly appearance.[3] No subspecies are currently recognize.
The males of this species grow to maximum total length of 73 cm (29 in): body 58 cm (23 in), tail 15 cm (5.9 in). Females grow to a maximum total length of 58 cm (23 in). The males are surprisingly long and slender compared to the females.[3]
The head has a short snout, more so in males than in females. The eyes are large and surrounded by 9–16 circumorbital scales. The orbits (eyes) are separated by 7–9 scales. The nostril is like a slit and separated from the eye by two scales. The eye and the supralabials are separated by a single row of scales. The supralabials number 7-10, of which the fourth is enlarged.[3] The body is covered with elongated, heavily keeled dorsal scales that give this species a "shaggy", almost bristly appearance. The scales around the head and neck are the longest, decreasing posteriorly. Midbody, the dorsal scales are in 15–19 rows. There are 149–166 ventral scales and 35–64 subcaudals. The anal scale is single.[2][3]
Common names[edit]
Rough-scaled bush viper, spiny bush viper,[2][3] hairy bush viper,[3][4] rough-scaled tree viper,[4] African hairy bush viper,[6]hairy viper.[7]
The common name "hairy bush viper" should, however, be avoided for this species, as it will likely be confused with Atheris hirsuta Ernst & Rödel, 2002, the specific name for which means "hairy".[4]
Geographic range[edit]
Central Africa: DR Congo, south-west Uganda, west Kenya. The type locality given is "Lutunguru, Kivu" (DR Congo).[1]
More specifically, Spawls & Branch (1995) describe the distribution as isolated populations in Kivu and Orientale Provinces in DR Congo, southeastern Ruwenzori in Uganda and the Kakamega Forest in western Kenya.[2]
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