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Bitis heraldica
Conservation status
	; Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Genus:	Bitis
Species:	B. heraldica
Binomial name
	Bitis heraldica; (Bocage, 1889)
Synonyms
	Vipera heraldica Bocage, 1889; Bitis peringueyi ; — Boulenger, 1896; Bitis heraldica ; — Betherncourt-Ferreira, 1898;

Bitis heraldica is a viper species endemic to Angola.^[1]^[3] It is easily distinguished from B. caudalis by its heavily speckled belly and lack of any supraocular "horns".^[4] No subspecies are currently recognized.^[3]^[5]

Taxonomy

Its common names include Angolan adder^[4]^[6] and Bocage's horned adder.^[5]

Description

The maximum recorded total length (body + tail) is 405 mm (15.9 in).^[4]

Distribution and habitat

It is found on the high plateau of central Angola.^[2]

The type locality given is "sur les bords de la rivière Calae, l'un des affluents de Cunene, entre le 13^o et 14^o parallèle á l'est de Caconda." [Calai River (tributary of the Kunene), Cacanda, Angola.^[2]

It commonly inhabits rocky mountain slopes.^[4]

Behavior

Nothing is known of its behavior, as less than 20 specimens have ever been collected.^[4]

Venom

Nothing is known of the venom composition, and no bites have ever been recorded.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b Ceríaco, L.M.P. (2021). "Bitis heraldica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T22475207A22475216. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22475207A22475216.en. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
^ ^a ^b Bitis heraldica at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 4 February 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8
^ ^a ^b "Bitis heraldica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
^ Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.