An unusual ‘speckled’ puff adder Bitis arietans (Reptilia: Squamata) from central South Africa

Abstract

AbstractA young female puff adder (Bitis arietans) with an unusual ‘speckled’ colour pattern was recently found in Bloemfontein, central South Africa. The snake was grey‐brown dorsally with numerous scattered dark markings and very occasional pale flecks, but it lacked the backwards‐pointing, dark‐edged, pale chevrons that characterise this common, widespread and highly venomous species. It also lacked any stripes or bands, but the head was lightly patterned. Although various rare colour morphs have been reported for this species, this is the first record of a puff adder with a ‘speckled’ dorsal pattern.