Katanga Mountain bush viper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Katanga Mountain bush viper |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Atheris
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| Species: |
katangensis
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The Atheris katangensis, also known as the Katanga Mountain bush viper, is a special kind of venomous snake. It lives in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Zambia. This snake is unique, and scientists don't currently recognize any different types or subspecies of it.
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About the Katanga Bush Viper
This snake is quite small. It can grow up to 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) long, including its tail. This makes it the tiniest member of its snake family, the Atheris genus.
What it Looks Like
The Katanga bush viper has a flat, triangle-shaped head. Its head stands out from its neck. Small, bumpy scales cover its head. Its snout, or nose area, is rounded.
Around the middle of its body, it has between 24 and 31 rows of scales on its back. Its tail is short. Male snakes have more scales under their tails (45-59) than females (38-42).
Its Colors and Patterns
This snake has a beautiful color pattern. Its main color can be purple-brown or yellow-brown. Over this, it has two lines along its back and sides. These lines are a different, contrasting color. They might look like a zigzag pattern. These lines run all the way from its head to its tail. The snake's belly is yellowish. The very tip of its tail is also yellowish.
Other Names for This Snake
The Atheris katangensis has a few other common names. People also call it the Shaba bush viper. Other names include the Upemba bush viper, Katanga bush viper, and the Katanga tree viper.
Where the Katanga Bush Viper Lives
You can find this unique snake in Upemba National Park. This park is in the Katanga Province (also called Shaba Province) in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also lives in parts of Zambia.
Its Home Environment
These snakes like to live in special places. They are found in gallery forests. These are forests that grow along rivers. They live at high altitudes, usually between 1,200 and 1,500 meters (about 4,000 to 5,000 feet) above sea level.
