Rock viper, Coastal viper, Turkish viper, Near East viper, Mountain viper
Ottoman vipers (Montivipera xanthina) are venomous viper species. They have a wide distribution and presumed large population.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OvoviviparousOvoviviparity, ovovivipary, ovivipary, or aplacental viviparity is a term used as a "bridging" form of reproduction between egg-laying oviparous an...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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VenomousVenom is a type of poison, especially one secreted by an animal. It is delivered in a bite, sting, or similar action. Venom has evolved in terrestr...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withDorsally, the Ottoman viper is grey or white with a black zig-zag stripe. Melanistic individuals exist. It has keeled dorsal scales. This snake usually grows to a total length (including tail) of 70-95 cm (27.6-37.4 in) but can reach a maximum total length of 130 cm (51.2 in) on certain Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.
Ottoman vipers are found in 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. Chalki) of the Turkish mainland shelf. These snakes live in humid areas and favor rocky and "well-vegetated" areas. They inhabit shrublands and steppes in mountainous regions and can also occur in rural gardens and cultivated areas.
Ottoman vipers are terrestrial meaning they live on the ground. They are most active during the day. Like all other vipers, they have a pair of relatively long hollow fangs that are used to inject venom from glands located towards the rear of the upper jaws, just behind the eyes. During a strike, their mouth can open nearly 180°, erecting the fangs as late as possible so that the fangs do not become damaged, as they are brittle. Vipers use their venom primarily for immobilization and digestion of prey and for self-defense, though in cases with humans, they may give a dry bite (not inject any venom). A dry bite allows the snake to conserve its precious reserve of venom because once it has been depleted, time is needed to replenish it, leaving the snake vulnerable. In addition to being able to deliver dry bites, vipers can inject larger quantities of venom into larger prey targets, and smaller amounts into small prey.
There is not much information and data about the venom composition, activity, and lethality of this specific species. However, similar to other species within the genus Montivipera and the related Vipera genus, it has mainly cytotoxic, haemotoxic, and other minor components to its venom. Although it injects only small amounts of venom in a bite, the venom of this species is highly potent and has been known to have caused fatalities in adult humans. This can be more common in young children or older individuals who get a case of severe envenomation (especially if fangs inject venom directly into a vein, for instance).
Ottoman vipers are carnivores. They prey on various rodents and other small mammals, birds, and lizards.
Female Ottoman vipers are known to be ovoviviparous and give birth to between 2 and 15 live young.
Ottoman vipers are not considered threatened but in some areas of their native range, they suffer from persecution, collection for the pet trade, and illegal export.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Ottoman viper is locally common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
