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.

They also hiss and make a fuss like like the larger puff adder.