Vipera xanthina

Montivipera xanthina is a venomous viper species found in northeastern Greece and Turkey, as well as certain islands in the Aegean Sea. No subspecies are currently recognized. Dorsally, it is grey or white with a black zig-zag stripe. Melanistic individuals exist. It has keeled dorsal scales. It usually grows to a total length (body + tail) of 70–95 cm (27.6-37.4 in), but reaches a maximum total length of 130 cm (51.2 in) on certain Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. Very aggressive, this snake will strike without provoking, and most bites inject venom. M. xanthina can be found living in humid areas. It favors rocky and 'well-vegetated' areas for its habitat. The diet of M. xanthina is thought to consist of rodents and other small mammals and native birds. It may prey on lizards, as well. Rock viper, coastal viper, Ottoman viper, Turkish viper, Near East viper, mountain viper. Extreme northeastern Greece, the Greek islands of Simi, Skiathos, Kos, Kalimnos, Samothraki, Leros, Lipsos, Patmos, Samos, Chios and Lesbos, European Turkey, the western half of Anatolia (inland eastward to Kayseri), and islands (e.g. ) of the Turkish mainland shelf.