Tiny for dry climates - Bitis caudalis and Bitis cornuta
In dry arid areas we find these little fellows the Horned Adder and the Many Horned Adder.
Very small adders typically well under a foot in length and that's an adaptation to the harsh environments they live in.
There isn't much food to be had so the lizards and mice around sparsely vegetated desert and other arid areas aren't very large. Therefore why waste energy on a lot of bulk?
Not as impressive as their larger forest relative the rhinoceros viper but striking none the less.
Horned Adder
Many Horned Adder
They also have intricate patterning but it's better suited for arid area camouflage (sand, stones, dry grass) than their forest relatives (fallen leaves).
But once again great color variation within the species and individuals to adapt to the local conditions.
As is more general, with a less widely distributed species, bites are rare and typically occur amongst snake handlers.
The Many Horned Adder is mainly coastal whereas the Horned Adder is found inland.
Gee, that purple coloured one is pretty camouflaged well! With such diversity it's hard to believe in a disordered genesis of life. I've been thinking about that a lot lately - especially on the trip I am on right now in British Columbia. There is so much beauty in nature here and so many different species of everything. And the colours...well....I love nature can you tell?
Snakes are interesting but I don't want one for a friend anytime soon.
I still prefer the Bitis nasicornis but this color variation thing is awesome.
Off the topic concerning the species, but still a snake:
https://steemit.com/til/@rmach/what-s-inside-a-rattlesnake-rattle
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