Until recently, B. ventrale was considered a subspecies of B. pumilum (q.v.). Indigenous to the eastern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa, it occupies grasses, bushes and shrubs in the dry savanna habitat. Total length rarely exceeds 8 inches. Like other members of complex it possesses a pronounced gular crest composed of small, scaled skin flaps. The small casque is narrow and pointed. Rows of large, lenticular scales run horizontally along the flanks. A dorsal crest is present. Basic body coloration is gray and/or brown but males engaged in sexual or aggressive displays will exhibit a dark blue or even black coloration highlighted by bright, rust-colored stripes. Little has been written regarding this species but the assumption is that it should be kept similarly to B. pumilum and like B. pumilum it is ovoviviparous.