Montatheris

Montatheris
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Viperinae
Genus:	Montatheris Broadley, 1996
Species:	M. hindii
Binomial name
Montatheris hindii (Boulenger, 1910)
Synonyms
Vipera - Boulenger, 1910 Hindius - Reuss, 1939 Bitis - Kramer, 1961 Atheris - Marx & Rabb, 1965 Montatheris - Broadley, 1996[1] Vipera hindii - Boulenger, 1910 V[ipera]. hindei - Schwarz, 1936 Bitis hindii - Kramer, 1961 Atheris hindii - Marx & Rabb, 1965 Montatheris hindii - Broadley, 1996[1]

Common names: Kenya mountain viper,^[2] Kenya montane viper,^[3] montane viper,^[4] Hind's viper.^[5]

Montatheris is a monotypic genus created for a venomous viper species, M. hindii. This is a small terrestrial species found only at high altitude on Mount Kenya and the Aberdare mountain range in Kenya. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[6]

Description

This is a small species reaching an average length of 20-30 cm and a maximum of about 35 cm. The head is elongated and not very distinct from the neck, while the eyes are small and set in a rather forwards position. The dorsal scales are strongly keeled.^[2]

Geographic range

Endemic to Kenya. Known only from isolated populations on Mount Kenya and the moorlands of the Plateau, Kinangop Aberdare mountains. The type locality listed is "Fort Hall, Kenya." Since Fort Hall is at an altitude of only 4000 feet (1219 m), Loveridge (1957) questioned whether this was accurate.^[1][3]

Habitat

Occurs at high altitudes of 2700-3800 m in treeless moorlands. Favors clumps of bunch grass for cover.^[3]

Behavior

A terrestrial species. Because of the low nighttime temperatures in its native habitat, it is only active during the day and when there is enough sunlight to warm its environment.^[3]

Feeding

It feeds on chameleons, skinks and small frogs. It may also take small rodents.^[7]

Reproduction

This species is apparently viviparous (ovoviviparous). One wild-caught female produced two young in late January,^[3] while another gave birth to three in May. The young were 10-13 cm long.^[2]

See also

• List of viperine species and subspecies
• Viperinae by common name
• Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
2. ^ ^{a b c} Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
4. ^ Montatheris hindii at The World Of Atheris. Accessed 9 September 2007.
5. ^ Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
6. ^ "Montatheris hindii". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634426. Retrieved 31 July 2006. 
7. ^ Spawls S, Howell K, Drewes R, Ashe J. 2004. A Field Guide To The Reptiles Of East Africa. A & C Black Publishers Ltd., London. 543 pp. ISBN 0-7136-6817-2.

Further reading

• Andrén C. 1976. The reptile fauna in the lower alpine zone of the Aberdare and Mt. Kenya. British Journal of Herpetology 5(7):566-575.
• Marx H., Rabb G.B. 1965. Relationships and zoogeography of the viperine snakes (Family Viperidae). Field Zoology 44:161-206.
• Broadley D.G. 1996. A review of the tribe Atherini (Serpentes: Viperidae), with the descriptions of two new genera. African Journal of Herpetology 45(2):40-48.

External links

• Montatheris hindii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 9 September 2007.