With an average total length (including tail) of 18–25 cm (7–10 in) and a maximum reported total length of 28 cm (11 in), B. schneideri is the smallest species of the genus Bitis and possibly the world's smallest viperid.[3]
Bitis schneideri ranges from the white coastal sand dunes of Namibia, near Lüderitz, south to Hondeklip Bay, Little Namaqualand, South Africa. Mallow et al. (2003) describe the range as the transitional regions of the Namib Desert.[3] The viper's habitat comprises a comparatively narrow strip of coastal dunes that appears to be characterized by particularly low seasonality, i.e. small temperature differences between seasons.[9] The range may extend up to 60 km (37 mi) inland in the Sperrgebiet of southern Namibia.[4]
Populations of B. schneideri naturally appear to be subject to unusually high annual mortality (39–56%) due to their small size and existence in a very predator-rich environment. As a consequence, it is likely that the species has evolved a higher rate of reproduction (once every year) than is usual among viperids, who commonly only reproduce every other year or more rarely.[10]B. schneideriisviviparous.[5]
An account is provided by Hurrell (1981) of a bite he sustained on his left index finger. The symptoms included intense pain, pronounced swelling, discoloration and oozing of serum from the punctures. After 24 hours, a 5 mmhematoma developed at the bite site. His condition stabilized after three to four days, with the swelling and pain gradually subsiding. Healing was complete after two weeks, with no loss of function or sensation of the afflicted digit. Minimal local tissue damage and no systemic effects were reported.[11]Noantivenin is available for this species.[3]
^Boettger, Oskar (1886). "Beiträge zur Herpetologie und Malakozoologie Südwest-Afrikas. I. Zur Kenntnis der Fauna von Angra Pequenia". Bericht über die Senckenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft in Frankfurt am Main. 1886: 3–29. (Vipera schneideri, new species, p. 8). (in German).
^Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN978-1-4214-0135-5. (Bitis schneideri, p. 237).
^Maritz, Bryan; Alexander, Graham J. (2012). "Dwarfs on the Move: Spatial Ecology of the World's Smallest Viper, Bitis schneideri ". Copeia. 2012 (1): 115–120. doi:10.1643/ch-11-048. S2CID84224905.
^Maritz, Bryan; Alexander, Graham J. (2012). "Population density and survival estimates of the African viperid, Bitis schneideri ". Herpetologica. 68 (2): 195–202. doi:10.1655/herpetologica-d-11-00043.1. S2CID83841608.
^Hurrell DP (1981). "Namaqua dwarf adder bite". South African Medical Journal. 45: 969–971.
Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN0-88359-042-5. (Bitis schneideri, pp. 118–119 + Plate 14).
