Bitis peringueyi (Boulenger, 1888)

Size

Bitis peringueyi is a small viper species, with an average total length including the tail of 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 inches), and a maximum recorded total length of 32 cm (13 inches).

Head Shape

It has a short, flat head, with eyes positioned on the top of the head.

Head Scale General Characteristics

The head is covered in strongly keeled scales, and the smallest scales are found on the anterior portion of the head.

Interorbital and Periocular Scales

Between the two eyes, there are 6 to 9 scales, and each eye is surrounded by 10 to 13 scales.

Suborbital and Supralabial Scale Separation

Two to four scales separate the suborbital scales from the supralabial scales.

Labial Scale Counts

There are 10 to 14 supralabial scales, and 10 to 13 sublabial scales.

Chin Shield Characteristics

The single pair of chin shields contacts the first 2 to 4 sublabials.

Dorsal Scale Counts

At midbody, there are 23 to 31 dorsal scales, and 21 to 27 on the anterior portion of the body.

Dorsal Scale Keeling

Almost all dorsal scales are strongly keeled, except for the scales that border the ventral scales; these are large and smooth.

Ventral Scale Count

There are 117 to 144 ventral scales.

Subcaudal Scale Characteristics

The 15 to 30 subcaudal scales are usually keeled, especially toward the tail tip.

Anal Plate Characteristics

The anal plate is single.

Dorsal Base Color and Pattern

Its base color can be pale buff, chestnut brown to orange-brown, or sandy-grayish, marked with three longitudinal rows of faint, elongated spots that range from gray to dark.

Dorsal Stippling Pattern

The body is also stippled with an irregular pattern of both pale and dark spots.

Belly Color

The belly is typically whitish or dirty yellow.

Tail Color

The tail is generally tan, but around 25% of specimens have a black tail.

Namib Region Distribution

This species is found in the Namib region from southern Angola to Lüderitz, Namibia, and has also been recorded in the Fish River Canyon.

Habitat and Sahara Distribution

It also occurs in areas of the Sahara desert, and typically inhabits areas near sand dunes.

Type Locality

Its type locality is recorded as "Damaraland, 10 miles east of Walfisch Bay" in Namibia.