First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

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First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby Westley Price » Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:53 am

Hey guys

One of our old forum members, Rob, sent me these pics over the weekend. He received them (the pictures, not the snake ;) ) from a friend of his.

These pictures were taken in central/western Angola in July 2010.

Not sure if you all realize the significance of these two simple images, but as far as I know, these are the first public pictures of live Bitis heraldica. The species was described in 1889 and for us to now only enjoy good quality pictures is pretty insane.

People have been after pictures of this species for MANY years and now finally we can enjoy them.

Image

Image
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis Heraldica

Postby michael » Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:00 am

Wow the holy grail of dwarf adders!! Thanks for posting the Wesley and thanks to Rob for supplying the images. Does anyone know if this was the only recent live one found or were there more found? From the pictures it looks like a little girl, let’s hope she’s doing her bit for the species and producing lots of little babies.
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby Mehelya » Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:23 am

Almost speechless! :shock: That is an amazing looking little adder! Big up to Rob, and his friend for the find! ;)
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis Heraldica

Postby Warren Klein » Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:26 am

Very significant photos indeed. Westly, do you know which province in Angola this was found in because they are not know from Northern Angola?
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby Westley Price » Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:33 am

Haha, I guess central Angola then. I just assumed. Not sure about the locality of this guy.

I have edited my original post to reflect this.
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby Warren Klein » Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:00 am

That's more like it Westley, I belive they have been found in Bela Vista, Huambo Province which is more central Angola. Thanks for sharing.
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby cvanvollenstee » Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:42 pm

Hello,

Is that mark on the head the correct mark (trident)? Its hard to see.
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby Westley Price » Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:46 pm

Looking at the sketch on the following link, it looks pretty close to the same:

http://www.sareptiles.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=5455
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby nvlooi » Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:20 pm

I was stunned when I got the mail from Rob!!!

An amazing record.


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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby vuduman » Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:15 pm

Awesome!What a privelage it must have been to take those photos.I would proberbly have taken thousands ;)
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby WW » Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:51 pm

WOW! Now that is the find of the year!

I don't suppose Rob's friend took scale clippings? :-D
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby crimson king » Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:44 am

Awesome!! Neat little snake.
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby xerophak » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:16 am

Hi mates,
yes, many years! a real surprise ! very thanks for share,
Now we know that is not extinguished would be interesting to a good conservation project

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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby froot » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:44 am

Great post Wes, nice to know that the species is alive and well. Definitely a different looking Bitis differentiating it from the others.
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Re: First Public Pictures of Live Bitis heraldica

Postby Rob » Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:19 am

Hi all. I get the feeling some people may think I had something to do with finding the snake or am at least trying to take some form of credit for it.
Just to be clear I was merely sent the photos by a herpetologist friend who knows my interest in dwarf Bitis, I asked his permission to share them which he gave. And so I did. That is my only involvement.
It was found in July 2010, I do know where it was seen and by whom but I dont see any value in giving that info publically.
I am certain my friend will publish something regarding the find so all the information will be public then.

I too am amazed to finally see pictures, seems a fantastically unique species.
I dont see why they wouldnt be quite common in their montane habitat.
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