Causus bilineatus

Common names: lined night adder,^[2] two-striped night adder.^[3]

Causus bilineatus is a venomous viper species found in south central Africa.^[2] No subspecies are currently recognized.^[4]

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Description

The average length is 30-50 cm with a reported maximum of 65 cm.^[2]

The head is slightly distinct from the neck, while the snout is fairly long and tapering. Midbody there are 15-18 rows of dorsal scales that are weakly keeled and have a soft and velvety appearance. The ventral scales number 122-141 in males and 128-144 in females. There are 18-30 subcaudals.^[2]

The color pattern consists of an ash to auburn to brown ground color, overlaid with numerous irregular or vaguely rectangular black dorsal patches. These patches lie within two distinct and narrow pale stripes that run the length of the body. The belly color is dark to dark cream.^[2]

Geographic range

Angola, northern Zambia, DR Congo (Shaba Province) and Rwanda. The type locality is given as "between Benguella and Bihe" (Angola). Bocage (1895) listed "Duque de Bragança, Quissanga, Cacouda, and Huilla" (Angola) for the localities.^[1]

Habitat

Occurs in moist savanna, forest-savannah environments and swampy habitats. Wild-caught specimens found to have eaten clawed frogs, Xenopus, suggest a more aquatic nature than other species.^[2]

Feeding

Preys mostly upon toads and frogs, particularly the clawed frog, Xenopus.^[2]

See also

• Causinae by common name
• Causinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References