Albany Adder
Bitis albanica
Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyViperidae (Vipers)
- GenusBitis (Puff Adders)
- SpeciesBitis albanica (Albany Adder)
About the Albany Adder
The Albany adder (Bitis albanica) is a viper species. It was previously considered a subspecies of Bitis cornuta. Its range is restricted to eastern and southern Cape Province in South Africa. Like all vipers, it is venomous.
It is extremely rare, and had been thought potentially extinct until four live specimens and one road kill were found in late 2016 or early 2017. Only 12 individuals have been identified since the species was discovered in 1937.
This subspecies does not have the "horns" that are characteristic of the nominate race, B. c. cornuta, although it does have prominent bumps over the eyes. The coloration is brown to reddish brown, and they may also lack the distinctive pattern of the typical form.
This is a small adder. Maximum recorded snout to vent length (SVL) for males is 27 cm (11 in); maximum recorded SVL for females is 22.5 cm (8.9 in). Branch (1999) elevated B. c. albanica to species level: Bitis albanica.
It is commonly known as the Albany adder, eastern hornsman adder, or eastern many-horned adder. It is found in Eastern and southern Cape Province in South Africa. They are also found in succulent... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Albany Adder in Addo Elephant National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Addo Elephant National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Albany Adder in Addo Elephant National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Albany Adder sighting in Addo Elephant National Park, based on 11 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Albany Adder in Addo Elephant National Park?
March has the highest sighting rate for Albany Adder in Addo Elephant National Park in our monthly data.