It can be easily distinguished from the closely related species B. gabonica by the presence of two large nasal "horns".

[4] Bitis rhinoceros has a distinctive set of enlarged nasal scales that look like a pair of horns on its nose.

Also, in B. g. gabonica, the dark triangular marking leading back from the eye towards the angle of the mouth is divided.

[1][3] According to Spawls & Branch (1995), Ghana and Togo are at the eastern limit of the range of this subspecies, and they begin to intergrade here with B. gabonica.

The distribution map they provide indicates that the general range for B. rhinoceros does not include Togo, but that there has been at least one report of a specimen found there.