Peringuey's Adder

Bitis peringueyi is a small snake with an average total length (tail included) of 20–25 cm (8–10 in), its maximum recorded total length is 32 cm (13 in). The head is short and flat with eyes located on top of the head. The head is covered with strongly keeled scales, the smallest of which are located anteriorly. The eyes are separated by 6–9 scales, while each eye is surrounded by 10–13 scales. 2–4 scales separate the suborbitals from the supralabials. The latter number 10–14, and the sublabials number 10–13. The one pair of chin shields contact the first 2–4 sublabials. The dorsal scales are in 23–31 rows at midbody and 21–27 rows anteriorly. All are strongly keeled, except those bordering the ventral scales are large and smooth. The ventrals number 117–144. The 15–30 subcaudals are usually keeled, particularly towards the tip. The anal plate is single. The color pattern consists of a pale buff, chestnut brown to orange-brown, or sandy-grayish ground color, overlaid with three longitudinal series of faint, elongate, gray to dark spots. The body is also stippled with an irregular pattern of pale and dark spots. The belly is usually whitish or dirty yellow. The tail is generally tan, but in 25% of specimens, it is black.

Bitis peringueyi is found in the Namib desert, from southern Angola to Lüderitz, Namibia. It is also seen in Fish River Canyon, and in areas of the Sahara desert, wher it tends to live near sand dunes. The type locality is given as "Damaraland, 10 miles east of Walfisch Bay" [Namibia].

An ambush hunter, Bitis peringueyi buries itself just beneath the surface of the sand with only its eyes and the tip of its tail exposed. Its skull represents a sharp shape to cut through the sand. Its skull is sharp to penetrate the sand around it. Individuals with black tail-tips employ caudal luring. When prey happens by, it is seized and envenomated.

This adder, Bitis peringueyi, was named after Louis Péringuey, a South African entomologist and museum director.