Information/Care Origin/Spreading: Italy, Austria, , Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia-Montenegro, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Macedonia, some Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean islands, Albania, Greece, Turkey and Transcaucasia. Subspecies: Vipera ammodytes gregorwallneri: Southern to Eastern Austria and to Slovenia. Not a subspecies anymore Vipera ammodytes meridionalis: Southern Macedonia southern Albania, Greece to western European Turkey. Vipera ammodytes montandoni: Romania, Northern Bulgaria (to the Black Sea) to European Turkey. Vipera ammodytes ruffoi: Only surroundings of Bolzano, Alto Adige Italy. Not a subspecies anymore. Vipera ammodytes transcaucasiana: Northern and western coastal near Turkey to Caucasus. Please note! The subspecies status is still under investigation!! Description: This strong, heavily built snake becomes up to 80 cms long, some individuals reaches even over 95 cm. Males are larger than females. It has a typical triangular head that sets off clearly from the slim neck. On the head tip they have a diagonally forward arranged horn. 21-23 keeled scalerows. Both males and females have a dorsal zigzag-band. Males are brighter in colouration than females and have sharper markings on the dorsal zigzag-band. Habitat: They prefer warm, dry areas like rocky bushy slopes, and can also be found in edge of woods or in glades. Can be found as high as 2000 meters above sea-level. They are active during daytime till dusk and like sunny places. Attitude: The animals are not aggressive normally. In case of disturbance they hiss loud and bite sometimes. Allways handle this species with hook or tong!! Never free handle!! Terrarium: Theese vipers should be kept in medium sized cages on a mixture of sand, loam and forest earth. Interior with large stones/slabs and roots/branches to make it look natural, make sure that there are hiding places. SECURITYTIP: Make sure that the terrarium are set up in a way, that makes you able too see the whole interior area without opening it. That way you can always count-in you're animal/s, so that so you don't become surprised by a hiding snake. A drinking container with fresh water is needed at all times. Temperatures between 24-28C, with a baskingspot under witch 32-35C are reached. Temperatures dropping at night to 20 C. Spray gently with water in the morning, a little extra in the evening when the animal/s are shedding. No UV-B vitamins/lightning are required for the species. Reproduction: The species requires a hibernationperiod for about 8-10 weeks at temperatures between 0-7C. Livebearers, 5-18 young that are15-22 cms long at birth. Males wrestle with each other before mating with the female. Mating season in the nature is April to May, in captivity 1-3 weeks after hibernation is over and the males have shed. Poison: The poison is probably the strongest of the European vipers, except for Macrovipera schweizeri and Montivipera xanthina. Haematoxin. Life-threatening or deadly bites are expressed rare, usually it comes to local symptoms of intoxication. Pain is usually strong, a swelling occurs within 2 hours of time. Among the general symptoms of intoxication one ranks: vomiting, beating of the heart, cramps, shock, possibly swindles and unconsciousness. In case of bite, visit nearest hospital immediately! Food: Mice, young rats. In the nature they eat rodents, rarely lizards and birds. Good luck with your animal! M.Erikzn Terrarium Morbidum 2006 Special thanks to: Mr. Mario Schweiger http://www.vipersgarden.at 2006 M.Erikzn, Terrarium Morbidum |
