Vipera monticola
Vipera monticola, also known as the Atlas mountain viper,[2] is a viper species endemic to Morocco.[1] Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
Vipera monticola | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Genus: | Vipera |
Species: | V. monticola |
Binomial name | |
Vipera monticola Saint-Girons, 1954 | |
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Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
The Atlas mountain viper (Vipera monticola) is a very small species with a maximum total length (body + tail) of less than 40 cm (16 in).[3] Spawls and Branch (1995) describe it as the smallest member of the genus Vipera, reaching a total length of only 345 mm (13.6 in).[2]
Geographic range
It is found in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco.
The type locality given is "Haut-Atlas, Massif du Toubkal, Maroc...qu'entre 2.500 et 3.900 m " [Toubkal Massif, High Atlas Mountains, southwestern Morocco, between 8,200 and 12,800 ft].[1]
Conservation status
This species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[4] Listed as such because its extent of occurrence is likely not much more than 20,000 km², and the extent and quality of its habitat are probably declining, therefore making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable. Year assessed: 2005.[5]
References
- McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- Vipera monticola at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
- 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
Further reading
- Beerli P, Billing H, Schätti B. 1986. Taxonomisches Status von Vipera latasti monticola Saint Girons, 1953 (Serpentes, Viperidae). Salamandra 22: 101-104.
- Klemmer K. 1963. Liste der rezenten Giftschlangen: Elapidae, Hydropheidae, Viperidae und Crotalidae. Marburg: N.G. Elwert. 210 pp.
- Saint-Girons H. 1953. Une vipère naine: Vipera latastei montana. Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France 78: 24-28.
- Saint-Girons H. 1954. Note rectificative au sujet de Vipera latastei montana, n. subsp. Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France 78: 475. (Vipera latastei monticola, replacement name.)
External links
- Vipera monticola at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 September 2007.