The small-scaled burrowing asp (Atractaspis microlepidota) is a species of atractaspidid snake from West Africa.

Atractaspis microlepidota is found in Senegal, Gambia, southern Mauritania,[1][2] and western Mali.

One reason for this confusion is that the long, hollow fangs of Atractaspis are similar in many respects to those of Viperidae.

[8] However, Atractaspis have typically been found with small rodents, birds, lizards, frogs, locusts and white ants in their stomachs or mouths.

The majority of research pertaining to Atractaspis microlepidota is about their venom, because they have been observed and studied only a few times in their natural habitat.

One hypothesis is that most of their prey also burrows; so the majority of their "strikes" are underground with limited room for movement.

[6] So the theory is that they developed this in order to still successfully bite their prey without having to open their mouth all the way.

[6] The term "strike", in quotation marks, is used, because Atractaspis do not attack from a distance, as boidae, vipers and some colubrids do.

When the venom was injected into animals, the subjects showed immediate signs of moderate irritation, with some hyperactivity and scratching.

[7] Reproduction is very similar to other snakes; Atractaspis lay eggs which hatch outside of the body, which means they are oviparous.

[13] It has been suggested that some female snakes even mate with more than one male, with mixed paternity, sperm competition and storage.