Atheris Matilda Research Paper
Recently in the remote rain forests of Tanzania, a major herpetological breakthrough was discovered. As a group of field Biologists continued their studies they came across a beautiful and remarkable snake, Antheris Matildae (Matildas Horned Viper). What is remarkable about this species is it evolved just about 2.2 million years ago from Atheris Ceratophora (Usambara bush viper), and is just now being discovered. Antheris Matildae is restricted to a very small area of just under 100 square miles. Although this much unintended information has been released they are not saying where this is in the forest. Due to the fact this species is so endangered, scientists took eleven snakes captive holding five females, four males, and two juveniles.
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To make things worse the habitat of Atheris Matildae is undergoing great deforestation. Antheris Matildae is just over two feet long which is longer than its cousin, Atheris Ceratophora. It has very unique coloration not found in many snake species around the world, which make it not that hard to distinguish from most snakes in its area. Once Atheris Matildae was found it was held in an outdoor terrarium and later fascinated a five year old girl, Matilda. Matilda was consistently trying to help care for the snake by feeding and giving it water. All the scientists taking care of and studying the snake were very thrown off guard by this action. Therefore giving Atheris Matildae the name, Matildas Horned Viper. Atheris Matildae is usually black with yellow zigzags although its coloration varies between sexes. Also, it is easy to distinguish the atheris matildae from other snake species of the atheris group by its enlarged scales above its eyes, the eyelashes. Due to these amazing traits the Matildas horned viper is easily targeted. Not only is the illegal pet trade vanishing this species, daily diseases are also a prime factor. This is something nobody could control. In my personal opinion as a hopefully future herpetologist entrepreneur, dealing with a newly discovered snake species is a bad idea due to the fact we have limited
To make things worse the habitat of Atheris Matildae is undergoing great deforestation. Antheris Matildae is just over two feet long which is longer than its cousin, Atheris Ceratophora. It has very unique coloration not found in many snake species around the world, which make it not that hard to distinguish from most snakes in its area. Once Atheris Matildae was found it was held in an outdoor terrarium and later fascinated a five year old girl, Matilda. Matilda was consistently trying to help care for the snake by feeding and giving it water. All the scientists taking care of and studying the snake were very thrown off guard by this action. Therefore giving Atheris Matildae the name, Matildas Horned Viper. Atheris Matildae is usually black with yellow zigzags although its coloration varies between sexes. Also, it is easy to distinguish the atheris matildae from other snake species of the atheris group by its enlarged scales above its eyes, the eyelashes. Due to these amazing traits the Matildas horned viper is easily targeted. Not only is the illegal pet trade vanishing this species, daily diseases are also a prime factor. This is something nobody could control. In my personal opinion as a hopefully future herpetologist entrepreneur, dealing with a newly discovered snake species is a bad idea due to the fact we have limited