Spiny bush vipers form part of the class Reptilia and are indigenous in Central Africa. They are found in tropical areas, such as rainforests. Their scientific name is derived from Greek word which mean hairy and hairy and. The spiny-scaled snakes are small and are named after the keeled scales that cover their bodies. They also are semi-arboreal, and prefer to climb trees for the majority of the time. The venom they use is neurotoxic and can cause hemorrhaging in organs However, the toxicity of their venom varies for each person.
Description
Spiny bush vipers belong to of the family of Viperidae that are closely related to the venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes and vipers in tropical regions across Asia. They are tiny reptiles with a maximum size of the size of 29 in for males, and to 23 inches for females. Males have slender and long bodies as opposed to the more muscular females. The bodies of males are covered with grayish or greenish scales with keeles that make them appear bristly which is why they are known as of the spiny bush viper. The scales are largest at the top, and slowly decrease in size when they travel to the side. The heads of these animals are triangular, broad with small necks, small snouts and large eyes that have the vertically elliptical pupils. The tails of these animals are extremely prehensile which makes them easier to grasp as they climb up and even hanging upside-down.
Habitat and Distribution
Spiny Bush Vipers’ habitat comprises woodlands, rainforests and swamps. Since they are great climbers and climbers, they can be found at altitudes of between 2,900 to 7,800 feet. They originate from central Africa and can be found throughout areas like the Democratic Republic of Congo and the southwest of Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. Their distribution is described as isolated communities across the areas.
Diet and Behavior
They consume smaller mammals like the birds, the lizards and Frogs. They hunt in the trees , but they can also hunt for prey from mammals from the earth. They snare the prey they are hunting by hanging from trees or hiding within the foliage, then curling into an S-shape , before taking aim at their prey, and then taking them down with their poisonous venom. The spiny bush vipers are nocturnal creatures that spend the afternoon sat on top of tiny trees that are about 10 feet above the ground. Do Birds Pee They also have the ability to climb up reeds and stalks however they prefer the final leaves and the flowers of smaller trees.
Reproduction and Offspring
The mating season of spiny bush vipers happens in the rainy season, between summer’s end between September and October. They attain sexual maturity in between two and three years old age. Females are Ovoviviparous that is, they have live young. Following mating, females keep fertilized eggs inside their bodies for six to seven months prior to giving birth to 9-12 youngsters during March or April. Blue Birds in Michigan The young measure 6 inches long and have dark green wispy stripes. They develop their adult colors within 3 to 4 months. Because of their isolation away from human beings, researchers don’t know the length of their lives living in wild environments, however these animals can live longer than 12 years captive.
Conservation Status
Spiny bush vipers are not been assessed in The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is difficult to determine their population because of their location in the middle of nowhere and their activity at night.
Spiny Bush Vipers and Humans
Because of the remoteness of their habitats, they do not have any contact with people. The venom they use is toxic to the brain and can cause severe hemorrhaging of organs in the body. If you are bitten by this venomous animal it can cause discomfort in the region swelling, bleeding, and swelling in more severe cases.
The degree of toxicity varies based on the snake, the area of the bite and also the weather conditions and altitude.Like the rest of species of the Atheris species There is no antivenom that is specifically designed for this species, and without First Aid, an injury could cause death to human beings. But, bites can be uncommon because of their location and their nocturnal behavior.
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