Biology
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Almost nothing is known about the rare Albany adder. Like other Bitis species, it probably captures its prey by ambushing it (2). Lunging at its unsuspecting victim with an open mouth, the adder stabs the prey with its long fangs, releasing the slow-acting venom (3). The prey may be held in the mouth if it is small, or if it is large, the adder will release the prey, simply wait for the venom to take its course, and then eat its meal at leisure (2). Lizards are the main prey, but large individuals may occasionally take rodents (7). All adders in Africa are viviparous (2), meaning that they give birth to live young. Albany adders give birth to litters of three to seven young (7).
Conservation
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The Albany adder may still occur in at least one protected area, the Addo Elephant National Park (10), but more up to date surveys are needed (7). There are currently no specific conservation measures known to be in place for this little-known snake. The current situation is critical and without action it is likely that this species will become extinct within a decade or so. One problem is that the current taxonomy stating it as a valid species (separate from the many-horned adder) has not filtered through to those who make the decisions (11).
Description
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The Albany adder is a member of the viper family, a group of highly evolved, venomous snakes (3). Its relatively short, stocky body is grey and boldly patterned with black and white blotches (2). Small tufts of elongated scales protrude from above the eyes and it has long fangs that can be folded against the roof of the mouth when not in use (2) (3). Just above each nostril is a small pouch of inward-folded skin (the supranasal sac) containing many nerve endings (2) (4). Male Albany adders are smaller than females (2). The Albany adder was once considered to be a subspecies of the many-horned adder (Bitis cornuta), but this taxonomy has recently been revised (5).
Habitat
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The Albany adder inhabits mesic succulent thicket, (a dense, impenetrable thicket occurring in coastal areas) and bontveld, a mosaic of grassland interspersed with clumps of thicket vegetation (2) (6).
Range
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Endemic to South Africa, where it occurs only in the Algoa Bay area of the Eastern Cape Province (2).
Status
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This species has not yet been classified by the IUCN.
Threats
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This rare snake may be threatened by habitat destruction (2). The Albany adder's range lies within a 'hotspot' of biodiversity, the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot. This area has one of the highest human densities in sub-Saharan Africa and is under threat from a number of activities including cultivation, plantation forestry, urbanization (8), and sand-mining for the cement industry which occurs on the shores and inland of Algoa Bay (9). Only around one-quarter of this hotspot's original vegetation remains in pristine condition (8), and it is currently thought that the entire range of the Albany adder may lie within a cement mining area (7).
Distribution
provided by ReptileDB
Continent: Africa
Distribution: Republic of South Africa (Eastern Cape Province from Port Elizabeth to near Committees)
Type locality: Kleinpoort, near Committees, 25 km ENE of Grahamstown (33°14S, 26°46 E).
Albany adder
provided by wikipedia EN
The Albany adder (Bitis albanica) is a viper species. It was previously considered a subspecies of Bitis cornuta.[4][3] Its range is restricted to eastern and southern Cape Province in South Africa.[5] Like all vipers, it is venomous.
It is extremely rare, and had been thought potentially extinct until four live specimens and one road kill were found in late 2016 or early 2017.[6] Only 12 individuals have been identified since the species was discovered in 1937.[6]
Description
This subspecies does not have the "horns" that are characteristic of the nominate race, B. c. cornuta, although it does have prominent bumps over the eyes. The coloration is brown to reddish brown, and they may also lack the distinctive pattern of the typical form.[7]
This is a small adder. Maximum recorded snout to vent length (SVL) for males is 27 cm (11 in); maximum recorded SVL for females is 22.5 cm (8.9 in).[8]
Taxonomy
Branch (1999) elevated B. c. albanica to species level: Bitis albanica.[3]
It is commonly known as the Albany adder,[9] eastern hornsman adder, or eastern many-horned adder.[5]
Distribution and habitat
It is found in Eastern and southern Cape Province in South Africa.[5]
The type locality is listed as "The Dene (Port Elizabeth), Addo, and from dry scrub districts near Grahamstown such as Brak Kloof, farm Springvale, and Kleinpoort near Committees ... Eastern Cape Province, South Africa."[2]
References
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^ Maritz, B., Branch, W.R. & Turner, A.A. 2018. Bitis albanica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22473767A115666359. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22473767A115666359.en. Downloaded on 20 December 2018.
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^ a b 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).
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^ a b c Viperidae - Viperinae - 1999 Publications Archived 2006-09-04 at the Wayback Machine at Wolfgang Wüster homepage Archived August 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor. Accessed 28 August 2006.
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^ "Bitis cornuta albanica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 25 July 2006.
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^ a b c 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.
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^ a b Bittel, Jason (12 May 2017). "'Extinct' Venomous Snake Rediscovered". National Geographic. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
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^ Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
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^ Branch, Bill. 2004. Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Bitis albanica, p. 118 + Plate 99.)
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^ Bitis albanica at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.
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Albany adder: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The Albany adder (Bitis albanica) is a viper species. It was previously considered a subspecies of Bitis cornuta. Its range is restricted to eastern and southern Cape Province in South Africa. Like all vipers, it is venomous.
It is extremely rare, and had been thought potentially extinct until four live specimens and one road kill were found in late 2016 or early 2017. Only 12 individuals have been identified since the species was discovered in 1937.
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- Wikipedia authors and editors
