Snakes > Horned Adder Snake

Horned Adder or Single Horned Adder / Horingmannetjie

Bitis caudalis

Size Adults reach a maximum length of 55 cm (average 30 cm).

Description A small, squat adder with a wide head. It is recognized by the presence of a single, neat, horn-like scale above each eye. The colour pattern of the Horned Adder is very variable depending on the habitat in which it is found. Generally it consists of a dark V shape over the back of the head followed by a series of dark blotches down each side and along the spine. The dark blotches are often flanked by lighter patches and spots. The background colour varies from pale grey to rich red brown and the pale blotches vary from yellow-buff to pale blue. The only known specimens from the GCBC are beige with grey and brown blotches with very short horns.

Biology The Horner Adder is a sit and wait forager like most adders and relies on its excellent camouflage and the shelter of low vegetation to allow its prey of lizards and small rodents to approach with striking distance. Striking is very fast and these snakes put on a good display of puffing themselves up, hissing and striking at every movement when disturbed. Bites cause local tissue damage and severe pain but heal well.

They tolerate very arid conditions and prefer the arid interior, particularly on sandy substrates into which they may shuffle to help conceal themselves.

Distribution Horned Adders occur widely from the Kalahari sands of western Zimbabwe, northern parts of Limpopo province, south along the arid western parts of North West province, including the Magaliesberg in Gauteng, much of the Northern Cape and to the Tankwa Karoo in the Western Cape and then north into Namibia, southern Angola and Botswana.

Distribution in GCBC The two records of this species in the GCBC collected by a birders with an interest in wider biodiversity. It is expected to only occur in the driest western parts in the Tankwa Karoo of the GCBC.

Conservation Status The Single Horner Adder is not listed on any Red Data species list.

Threats This species is sought after by reptile collectors but nothing is known of the effects of such collecting.

Current studies None.