Atractaspis
Atractaspis is a genus of venomous snakes in the family Lamprophiidae. The genus is endemic to Africa and the Middle East. The genus contains 15 species that are recognized by ITIS. Others recognize as many as 21 species. 23 are listed here. Common names. Common names for snakes of the genus "Atractaspis" include burrowing vipers, burrowing asps, mole vipers, stiletto snakes, side-stabbing snakes. "Side stabbing" refers to the snakes' uncommon ability to strike with the side of their head and inject venom with one protruding fang. Geographic range. Species of the genus "Atractaspis" are found mostly in Sub -Saharan Africa, with a limited distribution in the Jordan valley in Israel, Palestine and the Arabian Peninsula. Description. Members of the genus "Atractaspis" share the following characteristics. Venom fangs enormously developed; a few teeth on the palatines, none on the pterygoids; mandibles edentulous anteriorly, with 2 or 3 very small teeth in the middle of the dentary bone. Postfrontal bone absent. Head small, not distinct from neck, covered with large symmetrical shields; nostril between 2 nasals; no loreal; eye minute, with round pupil. Body cylindrical; dorsal scales smooth, without apical pits, in 17 to 37 rows; ventrals rounded. Tail short ; subcaudals either single or in two rows. Species. "*) A taxon author in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than "Atractaspis". "**) Not including the nominate subspecies."