Kingdom Animalia Suborder Serpentes Subfamily Viperinae Scientific name Vipera pontica Higher classification Vipera Order Scaled reptiles | Subphylum Vertebrata Family Viperidae Genus Vipera Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Vipera, Vipera barani, Snake, Vipers, Vipera albizona | ||
Vipera pontica is a venomous viper species endemic to Turkey and Georgia. No subspecies are currently recognized.
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Description
V. pontica probably does not grow to more than 60 cm (24 in) in total length (body + tail). The largest type specimen was 277 mm (10.9 in) in total length.
Holotype: NHMG 5021.
Geographic range
Known only from the Çoruh River valley in Artvin Province, northeastern Turkey. It is probably also found in the Turkish province of Erzurum, as well as the Kura valley in Georgia. Mallow et al. (2003) describe the range as Turkish Anatolia and adjacent parts of Georgia.
The type locality is "Coruh valley, province Artvin, northeastern Turkey.
Conservation status
This species is classified as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is also listed as a strictly protected species (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention.
Habitat
Its preferred habitat is steep wooded mountain slopes with rock outcroppings and piles of stones.