V. ursinii, V. berus, V. aspis, V. latastii, and V. ammodytes. [1]
Vipera ursinii.
Snout obtuse, soft on its upper surface, with the frontal and parietal shields distinct, the former about one and a half times as long as broad, and almost always longer than the parietals. A single series of scales between the eyes and the free margin of the lips.
Temporal shields smooth. Body scales in from 19 to 21 rows, strongly keeled on the back, less strongly on the sides.
Colour yellowish or pale brown above, grey or dark brown on the sides, sometimes uniform brown; spots more or less regular on the vertebral column, oval, elliptic or rhomboidal, dark brown or flecked with white, sometimes forming an undulous or zigzag band; two or three longitudinal series of dark brown or black spots on the sides; small dark dots running obliquely from the eye to the angle of the mouth; nose and lips white, and one or two dark angular streaks on the head; chin and throat yellowish; belly black, with transverse series of white or grey dots. No sexual differences in coloration.
Total length from 420-500 millimetres; tail 50-55.
Habitat: South-east France (Basses-Alpes); Italy (Abruzzi); Istria; Mountains of Bosnia; Plains of Lower Austria; Hungary (environs of Buda-Pesth).
Vipera berus (Common Viper, or Adder).
Snout rounded, short and truncate; pupil vertically elongate; vertical diameter of the eyes equal to or greater than the distance separating them from the mouth; frontal and parietal shields distinct, the former as long as broad, usually shorter than the space separating it from the rostral shield; 6-13 scales round the eyes; one or rarely two series of scales between the eyes and the lips; nasal shield single, separated from the rostral by a naso-rostral shield; temporal scales smooth. Body scales in 21 rows (exceptionally 19 or 23), strongly keeled; 132-150 ventral shields; 38-36 subcaudals.
