Atractaspis irregularis, or the variable burrowing asp, is a species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 of venomous snake

Snake

Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...

 in the Atractaspididae

Atractaspididae

The Atractaspididae are a family of snakes found in Africa and the Middle East. Currently, 12 genera are recognized.-Description:This family includes many genera formerly classed in other families, on the basis of fang type. It includes fangless , rear-fanged , fixed-fanged , and viper-like species...

family.

Description

Atractaspis irregularis is completely dark brown or black.

Snout very short, rounded. Portion of rostral visible from above measuring ⅔ to ¾ its distance from the frontal. Frontal as long as broad, much longer than its distance from the end of the snout. Dorsal scales in 25 or 27 rows. Ventrals 220-257; anal divided; subcaudals 22-28, divided.

Adults may attain a total length of 56 cm (22 inches), with a tail 3.5 cm (1⅜ inch) long.