Nosing around PE today [Bitis albanica]

[armata]

So happy!!!

[neko]

Brilliant!!! Very nice find. Congrats.

[Pythonodipsas]

Wow!

Now that is a NICE find!!!!!! Can you please tell us what observations you made of weather?, temps? situation?, etc. And the time of year is interesting I think.

I am sure Bill Branch and the academic community are VERY happy to know.

Oh and could you please post a full body photo.

[Rob]

Looks a lot like 1 of my breeding females. hehe kidding.

Congrats TP. That's fantastic.

[froot]

This is a once in a blue moon event, awesome stuff armata.
Was it found in threatened habitat or a reserve?
Please tell me you didn't pickle it and released it or kept it for breeding.

Thanks for sharing.

[undignified_001]

Really awsome pic...well done

[rubida]

Hi ,

Don’t worry this little male specimen is alive! We only took scale clippings for DNA and photographed it

This is the very rare Bitis albanica (Albany adder) and its endemic to Algoa bay, South Africa.

Indescribable joy

[WW]

That is a really fantastic find - congrats to both of you!

Cheers,

WW

[armata]

Bitis albanica habitat

[armata]

Its amazing that this little adder is not protected the previous photo is where that male was found; right in the middle of mining operations.
But the area is huge and cries out for a field study; If I was a tutor at uni I would point a masters student in this direction.
There is a need for a captive breeding programme; the habitat takes 300yrs to recover. This species is on a par with the Milos viper and Aruba island rattler; but there is a lot of red tape and politics in the way - maybe we will get there.

[shamroth]

unfortunately some universities dont seem interested in snakes. in stel they work almost exclusively on cordylus lizards and i was told that theres 'nothing left to be studied with regard to snakes'

[armata]

Really!!!! Well, your tutor whoever is talking out of their exhaust pipe.
Ask them how much we know about the ecology of medically important species e.g. saw-scale viper, puff adder, Cape cobra. And why do I spend so much time in the veld when I am officially a pensioner and should be relaxing in comfort with my books and music. (Delete that last statement; I'm too busy enjoying myself!!!!!)
I could list twenty worthwhile snake orientated projects without thinking too hard.

[shamroth]

if its not a cordylus lizard they dont seem to give a damn....thats seems to be their only view..but next year il be doing honours, and I definitely want to work on adders so heres hoping

[armata]

All power to you - if you need any input from me don't hesitate to ask.

[shamroth]

will do..thanks