[2] The first specimen known to science was a road kill on the east side of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia.

A series of black triangular or subtriangular spots, each with a white center, run down the upper flanks.

The lower flanks have a series of greenish-gray triangles, pointing upwards, with yellow edges, especially the tips.

[4] Known from only five localities in Ethiopia, it is found on both sides of the Rift Valley, both in the Bale Mountains[10] to the east and between Bonga and Jimma to the west.

[7] The type locality is given as "Doki River bridge (8°20′N 35°56′E / 8.333°N 35.933°E / 8.333; 35.933), bei Yambo (=Yembo), an der Straße von Metu nach Bedelle, Provinz Illubabor, SW-Äthiopien" [Ethiopia].

In 1995, the only living specimen known was less irritable than the typical puff adder (B. arietans) and was not inclined to strike.

However, it hissed when teased and struggled "furiously" when restrained, suggesting its temperament may be similar to that of the Gaboon viper (B.

[3] The first US envenomation of a person was in March 2009 when a herpetologist from Texas was bitten in the finger by a young, captive B. parviocula, which he survived.