Namaqua Dwarf Adder

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.

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. 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. The range may extend up to 60 km (37 mi) inland in the Sperrgebiet of southern Namibia. The type locality given is "Angra Pequenia" [ Lüderitz Bay, Namibia].

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. B. schneideri is viviparous.

The specific name, schneideri, was given by Oskar Boettger in honor of "Dr. Oskar Schneider in Dresden ", a friend of Boettger. Oskar Schneider (1841–1903) was a conchologist.