Atheris rungweensis


Atheris rungweensis is a venomous viper subspecies endemic to Africa in Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi. It was formerly considered a subspecies of Atheris nitschei.

Description

It grows to a maximum length of. At midbody, it has 22–33 dorsal scale rows. The ventral scales number 150–165, and the subcaudals 46–58.
The color pattern is variable, with a ground color that ranges from bright green to green to black. Usually, this is overlaid with a pair of yellow dorsolateral zigzag lines. A row of yellow spots on the sides of the ventral scales may also be present. Specimens from the Sumbawanga region usually have a green yellow and black color pattern. Neonates are a dark brown or gray, but with a bright yellow tail tip.

Common names

Rungwe tree viper, Rungwe bush viper, Rungwe leaf viper, Mount Rungwe bush viper.

Geographic range

It is known from scattered locations from southwestern Tanzania to northeastern Zambia and south to the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi.
The type locality is listed as "Rungwe Mountains, Tanganyika Territory".

Habitat

Atheris rungweensis is usually found in low bushes along streams and at the edges of mountain forests at altitudes of. Occasionally, it is encountered in moist savannah, woodland, and hill forest habitats.