Vipera ursinii

Vipera ursinii is a venomous viper and a very widespread species, found from southeastern France all the way to China (Xinjiang). Several subspecies are recognized. The specific name or epithet, ursinii, is in honor of Italian naturalist Antonio Orsini (1788–1870). Adults average 40–50 cm (15.75–19.69 inches) in total length, although specimens of 63–80 cm (24.8–31.5 inches) have been reported. Females are larger than males. Although sometimes confused with V. aspis or V. berus, it differs from them in the following characters. The smallest viper in Europe, its body is thick, its head narrow, and its appearance rough. The snout is not upturned. There are always several large scales or plates on the top of the head. The prominently keeled dorsal scales are in only 19 rows, and often dark skin shows between them. It is gray, tan, or yellowish with a dark undulating dorsal stripe, which is edged with black. Meadow viper, Ursini's viper, meadow adder, Orsini's viper, field viper, field adder. Although the following subspecies are currently invalid according to the taxonomy used here, their common names may still be encountered: Southeastern France, eastern Austria (extinct), Hungary, central Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, northern and northeastern Republic of Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, Romania, northern Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, northwestern Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia and across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and eastern Uzbekistan steppes to China (Xinjiang). Vipera ursinii rakosiensis is native to Hungary although the taxonomic status of this subspecies is disputed (see section 'Taxonomy') The type locality is ' ...monti dell'Abruzzo prossimi alla provincia d'Ascoli... ' (...mountains of Abruzzo near the Province of Ascoli Piceno, Italy...). This species is considered to be a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, due to habitat destruction caused by changes in agricultural practices and climate change in mountain areas, and to collection for the pet trade.