Chordates • Earth.com

Coastal viper

(Montivipera xanthina)

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Description

Montivipera xanthina is a venomous viper species found in northeastern Greece and Turkey, as well as certain islands in the Aegean Sea. No subspecies are currently recognized. Dorsally, it is grey or white with a black zig-zag stripe. Melanistic individuals exist. It has keeled dorsal scales. It usually grows to a total length (body + tail) of 70–95 cm (27.6-37.4 in), but reaches a maximum total length of 130 cm (51.2 in) on certain Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. Very aggressive, this snake will strike without provoking, and most bites inject venom. Montivipera xanthina can be found living in humid areas. It favors rocky and "well-vegetated" areas for its habitat. The diet of M. xanthina is thought to consist of rodents and other small mammals and native birds. It may prey on lizards, as well. Rock viper, coastal viper, Ottoman viper, Turkish viper, Near East viper, mountain viper. This species is classified as least concern according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed as such due to its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. It is, however, listed as strictly protected (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention. According to Nilson, Andrén and Flärdh (1990), M. bornmuelleri, M. bulgardaghica, M. wagneri and M. xanthina are all closely related and together form the Montivipera xanthina group or complex. Montivipera is a genus of venomous vipers.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:
Class: Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Family:Viperidae
Genus:Montivipera
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