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Description
The Horned Viper is the most venomous snake in Europe; Short and heavy body, adults typically measure between 60 and 80 cm; and can reach up to 100 cm.
Females are more robust Constitution, although the major (longer) registered specimens are males.
Head large and triangular well differentiated body. Its most distinctive feature is a "horn" on the snout, covered with 9-17 scales.
The dorsal scales are keeled and arranged in 21-25 rows.
The tail is short. A single anal scale.
The males are grey, gris-rosado or yellowish brown; with a line of dark brown or black that draws a zig zag pattern across the back. They usually present a dark stripe behind each eye and a characteristic spot V-shaped in the back of the head, which often connects with the dorsal zigzag pattern.
The females are reddish brown, Brown, brick red or greyish Brown.
The drawing of the back presents a similar but less contrasting color pattern and usually have no mark v head as males.
The belly may be greyáceo pink with spots or mottled darker.
The tip of the tail is red, pink, Orange, yellow or green.
Copies completely black (melanic) are very rare.
| Scientific name | Vipera ammodytes |
Common name
Nose-horned Viper
Family name
Viperidae
Biology
In spring and autumn is active during the day, while in summer, it is more crepuscular and nocturnal, passing the hottest hours of the day in the shade of the bushes or under rocks.
The period of hibernation depends entirely on the climate, and may vary from 2 to 6 months.
Mating takes place in spring, at the end of April or may.
Ovoviviparous species, females give birth of 4 to 20 young (15 - 23 cm in length) between August and October.
The pups are born covered with a thin transparent membrane, which break down to get rid of it at birth.
Little aggressive and relatively slow (but fast if necessary), rarely bite without considerable provocation.
On being surprised, it stays completely immobile and/or emits strong and sound warning whistles.
Feeds, above all, on micro-mamíferos, but it also depredates lizards, lizards, young snakes and hatchlings from nests.
Frequently them it may be encaramadas to small trees and shrubs in search of nests of birds or for sunbathing.
• Total length: 60 - 80 cm (exceptionally up to 100 cm)
• Mating: End of April - may
• Young: 4-20 (oviparous)
• Hibernation: 2-6 months.
Habitat
This species shows a predilection for the dry and sunny, habitats with low and sparse vegetation.
It is found in scrub rockwarbler, walls and stone walls located next to crops and forests.
It avoids thick forest and prefer moorland with sparse vegetation and sunny.
Its vertical distribution ranges from sea level to 2,000 metres.
Geographical range
Austria (Styria, Carinthia), North of Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, southwest of Romania, Northwest of Bulgaria, Macedonia, North of Albania and some islands in the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean.
Similar Species
● Subespécies:
• Vipera ammodytes ammodytes (Linnaeus, 1758)
Venice and the South Tyrol, Italy; Steiermark and Karnten, Austria; Yugoslavia, Romania and Northwest of Bulgaria.
• Vipera ammodytes gregorwallneri SOCHUREK 1974 (status questionable)
South and East of Austria up to Slovenia
• Vipera ammodytes meridionalis (Boulenger, 1903)
Albania, Greece, Asia minor and Syria.
The naso-rostral scale never reaches the edge of the rostral scale and rarely extends more above the upper edge of the rostral, it is often as long as wide or slightly longer than wide. The rostral Appendix is covered with 14-20 scales. 4-5 (rarely 3) transverse series between the rostral shield and the vertex. The supraciliar edge is usually more prominent than in the typical, sometimes slightly angular form.
• Vipera ammodytes montandoni (Boulenger, 1904)
Romania, East of the Danube, East of Bulgaria and Turkey.
The naso-rostral scale never reaches the edge of the rostral scale or covers it and is longer than broad (). The rostral Appendix this recubiero 10-14 scales. 3 (rarely 2-4) transverse series between the rostr coatto the vertex. The underside of the tip of the tail is yellow.
• V. a. transcaucasiana (Boulenger, 1913)
Georgia, northern Turkey and Anatolia.
It is similar to V.a montandoni in the rostral scaling with the number of ventral shields (150-156), but differs in design of the markings on the back queconsiste dark enbarras or pairs alternating dark spots. Dark and clear markings on the lower lip are in V. AA and the underside of the tail is pale yellow or greenish color towards the end.
Comments
Attention! It has to be exclusively handled by experts, since its relatively quiet character must not make us forget the high toxicity of its bite.
Curiosities
• The Horned Viper is considered the most dangerous of the European vipers, in consideration of its size, long fangs (more than 13 mm) and high toxicity.
• Its scientific name is derived from the Greek "arena" ammos and dutes "burrowing."
Conservation status
• IUCN Status: Least concern
• Species is classified as strict protection (annex II) under the Berne Convention.
| Other names | Escurço banyut [ca]. Europäische Hornotter [de]. Víbora cornuda , Víbora de arena [es]. Nose-horned Viper, Long-Nosed Viper, Sand viper [en]. Vipère ammodyte, Vipère cornue [fr]. Vipera dal corno [it]. Żmija nosoroga [pl]. Vipera cu corn [ro]. |
| Media source | Gregoire Meier, Mircea Nita |
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