Atractaspis congica

Atractaspis congica
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Atractaspididae
Genus:	Atractaspis
Species:	A. congica
Binomial name
Atractaspis congica W. Peters, 1877[1]

Atractaspis congica, commonly known as the Congo burrowing asp, is a species of venomous snake in the family Atractaspididae.^[2] It is found in 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

1. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
2. "Atractaspis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
3. Spawls, S. & Branch, B. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Oriental Press, 1995. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
4. 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.)
5. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). www.itis.gov.