Vipera monticola

The Atlas dwarf viper (Vipera monticola ) is a type of the Real vipers (Vipera ) within the vipers ( Viperidae ). Its distribution is limited to the High Atlas in Morocco. She was recognized in 1986 as an independent species and was previously a subspecies of Lataste (v. latasti ) listed.

Features

The Atlas - clawed otter is a very small species of the genus, reaching a maximum length of about 35 cm. This makes it the smallest member of the genus Vipera. The basic color is yellow, yellow- gray to brown -gray with a marking on the back of a zigzag band, which is formed by transverse alternating standing and stains, and sometimes also partially reversed. The body sides have dark, partially faded spots. The belly is lighter speckled gray and dark.

The head is triangular and dropped significantly from the rest of the body. The eyes have vertical pupils. The nose is elongated with the long extended snout plate facing upwards, but less pronounced than in the Lataste. On top of the head, the frontal and the parietals are always undivided, the other shields are more or less pronounced dissolved into small scales. About The eye shield forms the back of the head a sharp edge, while the snout is rounded. Below the eyes are two rows of Under Eye shields ( Subocularia ). The body scales are keeled. Around the middle of the body are usually 19 rows of scales. The under tail- shields ( Subcaudalia ) are divided as in all species of the genus.

Distribution and habitat

The Atlas - clawed otter is found only in the High Atlas in Morocco. As a habitat animals colonize stony and bush free high valleys at altitudes 2000-4000 meters.

Way of life

About the lifestyle of the Atlas - clawed otters are few data, in which they probably resembles the Lataste. She is probably mainly crepuscular and nocturnal. It feeds on small mammals such as mice and lizards and insects, it kills by a poisonous bite.

The snake is probably viviparous ( ovivivipar ) with a small number of offspring.

Snake venom

The poison of the Atlas dwarf viper Vipera is like that of all types of hemotoxic, medical treatment with an adequate antivenin is necessary.