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Bitis ,
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by nightwolf on March 24, 2007
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Beautiful snakes , but I know little about them, other than the fact that it would be a really bad idea to get bitten . Can someone tell me some differences between them ? East vs west , rhino ,etc . Thanks , and yes I do realise my own ignorance .
Kenny
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RE: Bitis ,
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by GREGLONGHURST on March 24, 2007
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Kenny: The genus Bitis is comprised of African vipers, three of which are of the larger variety and often seen in zoos & hobbyist's collections.
Those three larger species are B. arietans, the puff adder, B. nasicornis, the rhinoceros, or nose-horned viper, aka the river jack, and B. gabonica, the gaboon viper. In the latter, the west African subspecies, B. g. rhinoceros, has "horns" on its nose.
The smaller members of the genus are the Bergadder, or mountain adder(B. atropos), the horned adder (B. caudalis), the many-horned adder (B. cornuta), the dwarf sand adder (B. peringueyi), and the Namaqua dwarf adder (B. schneideri).
My reference is Living Snakes of the World by John M. Mehrtens, pub. in 1987. Some of the taxonomy may have changed in the interim.
~~Greg~~
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RE: Bitis ,
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by Cro on March 24, 2007
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Kenneth, you might want to go to "U Tube" and watch the videos there by "viperkeeper" who is known here as Al or Phobos.
He has posted videos of many of the Bitis, including some of the very rarely seen types.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Bitis ,
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by trueviper_uk on March 24, 2007
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Good suggestion John. They're great vids .
B.cornuta and B.caudalis are such fantastic little vipers. I think I'd trade them in for my larger Bitis if they were ever offered to me but I don't know if they are being kept by anyone in the UK.
Again, fantastic snakes!
Regards,
Mark.
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RE: Bitis ,
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by nightwolf on March 24, 2007
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Thanks for the tip , great vids . I watched the strike 4 or 5 times on the gabby and puff both . Fascinating how slow they move , until it's time to hit something !!! I'll be checking back there from time to time . Thanks all !
Kenny
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RE: Bitis ,
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by Indiginous on March 29, 2007
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Hi there, guys.
I'm new to posting, but I have been checking the boards for the past few weeks... check out my profile, if you wish.
The Bitis clan of Southern Africa is fairly interesting... but I have always been attracted to "different", which is where B. atropos (Berg adder) comes into the deal. The Bitis family has a predominantly cytotoxic (cell destroying) component to it's venom. B. atropos, on the other hand is predominantly NEUROTOXIC (attacks the nervous system)!
One plausible theory for this oddity, is that B. atropos, due to it's preffered habitat of mountainous areas (hence "Berg", an abreviation for the Drakensberg escarpment of Southern Africa), and the fact that it is such a diminutive snake, needs to kill it's prey quickly, without releasing it after biting and envenomating it, or risk losing the prey item, if it falls off a ledge etc.
The effects of a neurotoxic venom, therefor act a lot faster in sub-dueing the prey, than would a cytotoxic venom... and in this way, the Berg adder is at less risk of injury while hanging onto the prey.
Also... because of the altitude at which this Bitis species is found, it naturally prefers much lower overall temperatures in which to exist than any other Bitis species in Southern Africa.
My knowledge is fairly limited to Southern Arican species, and even with these I am constantly learning new and interesting facts virtually daily. However, if I am able to assist anyone in these forums, in any way, I shall be happy to do so.
Regards, Shayne
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RE: Bitis ,
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by nightwolf on March 29, 2007
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I started this becuse I was curious about the difference between the eastern and western varieties . In pictures I don't see much to tell them apart . Some here have called them " acrobatic " boy I guess ! Hard to believe the speed when they strike , isn't it ?
Kenny
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