Vipera aspis

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Vipera aspis is a venomous viper species commonly known as the asp viper. Found in southwestern Europe, it is also known as the European asp. Besides the nominotype or typical form, five other subspecies are currently recognized.

Contents

1 Description
2 Habitat
3 Venom
4 Conservation status
5 Subspecies
6 External links
7 References
8 See also

Description

Vipera aspis is a moderate-sized snake, growing to an adult length of between 70 to 90 centimetres, with a relatively thick body. Males are normally larger than females. The snake is distinguished by its broad triangular head, delineated from the body by a covering of small scales, and by its vertical pupils. The dorsal markings vary between individuals and subspecies but in general take the form of a dark brown or black zigzag. This species is viviparous. When threatened, it will hiss and make small forward jerking motions with its head.

Habitat

Vipera aspis can be found throughout many countries north of the Mediterranean Sea, particularly France, Andorra, northeastern Spain, extreme southwestern Germany, Italy, Switzerland and northwestern Slovenia. It is particularly common at moderate altitudes within the Alps and Pyrenees. It favors warm, dry environments such as south-facing rocky surfaces and river banks exposed to the sun. However, it is also to be found in marshy areas or woodlands.

Venom

Like all members of the Viperidae, Vipera aspis is armed with venom glands connected to curved fangs which enable it to inject venom deeply into the tissues of its prey, which typically comprises small mammals or fledgling birds. At rest the fangs lie towards the back in folds of skin within the mouth. The venom contains a hemotoxin which causes cardiac arrest in the victim.

Conservation status

Vipera aspis is considered to be an endangered species in Germany, and is listed as vulnerable in Switzerland. It holds no particular status in the rest of its range.

Subspecies

Subspecies	Authority	Common name	Geographic range
V. a. aspis	Linnaeus, 1758	Asp viper	France, north-west Switzerland, south-west Germany
V. a. atra	Meisner, 1820		West Switzerland, north-west Italy, south-east France
V. a. francisciredi	Laurenti, 1768		South Switzerland, north/central Italy, Slovenia, north-west Croatia
V. a. hugyi	Schinz, 1833		Italy (Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily)
V. a. montecristis	Mertens, 1956		Italy (Montecristo Island)
V. a. zinnikeri	Kramer, 1958		North-east Spain, south-west France (Pyrenees)

External links

Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe - [Vipera aspis]
Corti et al (2005). [Vipera aspis]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[Special]

EMBL Reptile Database - [Family Viperidae]
Species [Vipera aspis] at the [EMBL Reptile Database]
Integrated Taxonomic Information System - [Vipera aspis]

References

McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. ISBN 1893777006.