Lebanon viper (Montivipera bornmuelleri)

Description

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Lebanon viper fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
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Lebanon viper description

A venomous snake ⁽²⁾, the Lebanon viper (Montivipera bornmuelleri) is an extremely rare species ⁽¹⁾. There is limited information on its appearance, though members of the Montivipera genus are generally known to be short-tailed species. They also have a low number of enlarged scales on the underside of the tail, and all Montivipera species share a similar fragmented dorsal pattern ⁽³⁾. The pattern includes a number of dark blotches along the body, the central area of which can be lighter in colour in the Lebanon viper ⁽⁴⁾. The tail of the Lebanon viper has a yellow tip ⁽⁴⁾.

Synonyms

Vipera bornmuelleri.

Lebanon viper biology

Very little is known about the biology of this rare species, although the Lebanon viper is likely to have aspects in common with other members of the viper family (Viperidae). Vipers are generally ambush predators, striking their prey with long, hollow fangs which they use to inject venom. The fangs are hinged, and are folded back against the roof of the mouth when not in use. Vipers may also strike in self-defence ⁽⁵⁾.

The female Lebanon viper is ovoviviparous, and gives birth to between 2 and 18 young ⁽¹⁾.

Lebanon viper range

The Lebanon viper is known to occur in Lebanon and Syria at elevations between 1,000 and 2,200 metres ⁽¹⁾.

Lebanon viper habitat

The Lebanon viper is known to inhabit mountainous areas where its preferred habitat includes cedar forests and alpine grasslands. It can be found among rocks as well as cushion-type vegetation ⁽¹⁾.

Lebanon viper status

The Lebanon viper is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Lebanon viper threats

The Lebanon viper has a restricted range and is therefore vulnerable to habitat degradation ⁽¹⁾. Its habitat is currently threatened by overgrazing by domestic livestock and the use of off-road vehicles ⁽¹⁾.

In parts of its range, the Lebanon viper is threatened by the development of its habitat for the military and also the ski industry ⁽¹⁾.

Lebanon viper conservation

While there are currently no known conservation actions specifically targeting the Lebanon viper, it is known to occur in protected areas in both Lebanon and Syria ⁽¹⁾. Recommended conservation actions for this species include the management of its remaining habitat ⁽¹⁾.

Find out more

For more information on vipers visit:

• BBC Nature - Vipers:
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Viperidae

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Glossary

Dorsal

Relating to the back or top side of an animal.

Genus

A category used in taxonomy, which is below ‘family’ and above ‘species’. A genus tends to contain species that have characteristics in common. The genus forms the first part of a ‘binomial’ Latin species name; the second part is the specific name.

Ovoviviparous

Producing young that develop inside eggs, but the eggs hatch inside the female’s body and the young are born live.

References

1. IUCN Red List (November, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. Archundia, I.G., et al. (2011) Neutralization of Vipera and Macrovipera venoms by two experimental polyvalent antisera: a study of paraspecificity. Toxicon, 57: 1049-1056.
3. Nilson, G., Andren, C. and Flardh, B. (1990) Vipera albizona a new mountain viper from central Turkey, with comments on isolating effects of the Anatolian “diagonal”. Amphibia-Reptilia, 11(3): 285-294.
4. Nilson, G. and Andren, C. (1985) Systematics of the Vipera xanthina complex (Reptilia: Viperidae). III. Taxonomic status of the Bulgar Dagh viper in south Turkey. Journal of Herpetology, 19(2): 276-283.
5. MobileReference (2008) Encyclopedia of North American Reptiles and Amphibians. MobileReference, Boston.