Green Night Adder

About the Green Night Adder

Causus resimus, or green-night adder, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is found in isolated populations distributed across tropical Africa. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

As an adult, C. resimus usually has a total length (tail included) of 30–60 cm (12–24 in), with a maximum recorded total length of 75 cm (30 in). It appears relatively stout. The head is short, with an upturned snout, and slightly distinct from the neck. The circumorbital ring includes 2 preoculars, 2 postoculars and 1–2 subocular scales. There are 6–7 sublabials. The temporal scales number 2+3 (rarely 2+4).

At midbody there are 19–22 rows of faintly keeled dorsal scales that have a velvety appearance. There are 131–155 ventral scales. The anal scale is single. There are 16–27 paired subcaudals. The color pattern consists of a green ground color that may be anything from bright green to olive. This is overlaid with a series dark inverted chevron-like crossbars that run down the back, similar to C. defilippii and C. rhombeatus. The chin and throat are yellow. The belly is a yellowish, cream or pearly in color... Wikipedia →