沙蝰种

分类

它有五个亚种，此外一些文献还包含有亚种V. a. ruffoi（Bruno, 1968；分布于意大利阿尔卑斯山区），但大多数学者认为它和V. a. gregorwalineri是V. a. ammodytes的异名。V. a. transcaucasiana有时也被视为一个单独的种。

特征

全长可达95 cm（37.5英寸），但一般不超过85 cm（33.5英寸），而且其北方个体明显比南方个体要大。其平均长度在50—70 cm（19.5—27.5英寸）之间。

Vipera ammodytes, commonly known as horned viper, long-nosed viper, nose-horned viper, and sand viper, is a species of viper found in northern Italy, the Balkans, and parts of Asia Minor. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. It is reputed to be the most dangerous of the European vipers due to its large size, long fangs (up to 13 mm) and high venom toxicity. The specific name, ammodytes, is derived from the Greek words ammos, meaning "sand", and dutes, meaning "burrower" or "diver", despite its preference for rocky habitats. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Common names

The common names that can be found for Vipera ammodytes in English are horned viper, long-nosed viper, nose-horned viper, sand viper, sand adder, common sand adder, common sand viper, and sand natter. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, a common name used for this snake is poskok (поскок, lit. 'jumper'). In Greece, the common name used is ochia (οχιά).

Geographic range

North-eastern Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosova, Albania, Macedonia, Greece (including Cyclades), southern Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia and Syria.

The type locality is listed as "Oriente". Schwarz (1936) proposed that the type locality be restricted to "Zara" (Zadar, Croatia).

Reproduction

Before mating, the males of this species will engage in a combat dance, similar to adders. Mating takes place in the spring (April–May), and one to twenty live young are born in late summer or fall (August–October). At birth, juveniles are 14–24 cm (5.5–9.4 in) in total length. This species is ovoviviparous.

Conservation status

This species is listed as strictly protected (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention.