VIPERA RENARDI
From Zoological Society’s Proceedings
VIPERA BERUS
After Sordelli
The Viperinæ inhabit nearly the whole of Europe, Asia, and Africa; the Crotalinæ are Asiatic (one species extending its range into a small part of South-Eastern Europe) and American.
Genus VIPERA, Laurenti
Head distinct from neck, covered with small shields or scales, with or without distinct frontal and parietal shields; eye moderate or small, with vertical pupil, separated from the labial shields by scales; nasal separated from the rostral by a naso-rostral. Body short. Scales keeled, with apical pits. Tail short.
Of the eleven species of this genus, six are found in Europe; two inhabit South-Western Asia, one the Indo-Malay region, and two Eastern Africa.
The distinction of the European species is one of considerable difficulty, owing to their close relationship and the presence of intermediate forms connecting them. Matters being so, it seems curious that the Common Adder should have been regarded by so many authors as generically distinct from the Asp Viper, under the name of Pelias berus. It is highly probable that hybrids are produced in those districts where two species coexist, as in some parts of France, North Italy, and Austria.
21. Vipera ursinii, Bonaparte
Orsini’s Viper
Form.—Short and stout. Snout obtusely pointed, flat above or with the canthus slightly raised. Eye very small, usually smaller than the nasal shield, its horizontal diameter usually not exceeding its distance from the posterior border of the nostril, its vertical diameter often less than and rarely exceeding its distance from the mouth. Length of tail seven to eight times in total length in males, nine and a half to twelve times in females.