Atheris nitschei

Atheris nitschei is a venomous viper species found in Africa from Uganda and adjacent DR Congo to Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi. The former subspecies Atheris nitschei rungweensis from southwestern Tanzania, northeastern Zambia and northern Malawi was elevated to species rank (Atheris rungweensis). The specific name, nitschei, is in honor of German zoologist Hinrich Nitsche (1845–1902). The 1906 junior synonym, A. woosnami, was in honor of Kenyan game ranger Richard Bowen Woosnam (1880–1915), who later fought in World War I and was killed in action at Gallipoli. A. nitschei is a relatively large and stout bush viper, growing to an average total length (body + tail) of 63 cm (25 in) and a maximum total length of at least 73 cm (29 in). The males are smaller than the females. Common names for A. nitschei include Great Lakes bush viper, Nitsche's bush viper, black and green bush viper, Nitsche's tree viper. sedge viper, green viper, bush viper. A, nitschel is found in forests of the Central African Albertine Rift, in eastern DR Congo, Uganda, western Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. The type locality is listed as 'Mpororosumpf, Deutsch-Ost-Afrika' .