Bluntnosed Viper – Vipera lebetina lebetina (Linnaus 1758)
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Vipera lebetina lebetina (Linnaus 1758)
Family: Vipera
Bluntnosed Viper – very venomous
CHARACTERISTICS
Big strong viper with a sturdy head that is clearly distinguishable from the neck. Relatively small eyes with perpendicular slit pupils and keeled scales. The colour is whitish-grey, straw-yellow till rustbrown. On the back there are two rows of ochre-coloured staggered transverse patches.
| Habitat: | Sunny, scarcely planted scree slopes. Prefers dry riverbeds with small pools where it waits for prey. |
| Habits: | Mainly day-active very poisonous viper. Nevertheless during the summer months July/August it hunts at night. |
| Food: | Rats, mice and birds. This viper has a very strong poison, its bite must be treated by antidote. |
