| Vipera kaznakovi | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Vipera |
| Species: | V. kaznakovi |
| Binomial name | |
| Vipera kaznakovi Nikolsky, 1909 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Vipera kaznakovi, also known as theCaucasus viper,Kaznakow's viper,[2]Kaznakov's viper,[3] and by othercommon names, is aspecies ofvenomous snake in thesubfamilyViperinae of thefamilyViperidae. The species is native toTurkey,Georgia, andRussia.[1] There are nosubspecies that are recognized as being valid.[4]
Thespecific name,kaznakovi, is in honor ofRussiannaturalistAleksandr Nikolaevich Kaznakov.[5]
V. kaznakovi is a stoutly built species, of which the males are usually shorter and more slender than the females. Adults may reach a maximum total length (including tail) of 65 to 70 cm (26 to 28 in), but are usually less.Orlov andTuniyev examined 39 specimens. Of the 23 males examined, the largest measured 47.5 cm (18.7 in) total length; while of the 16 females, the largest was 60 cm (24 in) total length.[2][6]
Common names forV. kaznakovi include the Caucasus viper, Kaznakow's viper,[2] Kaznakov's viper,[3] and the Caucasus adder.[7]
V. kaznakovi is found in northeasternTurkey,Georgia, andRussia (easternBlack Sea coast).
Thetype locality is "Tsebel'da, Sukhumi District," according to the English translation ofNikolsky (1909). Orlov and Tuniyev (1990) interpret this as "Tsebelda, the vicinity ofSukhumi [on the east coast of the Black Sea],Abkhazia, the Caucasus [Georgia]".[1]
V. kaznakovi inhabits theforested slopes ofmountains, the beds of wetravines, and post-forestedclearings. It has been recorded fromazalea and scumpea-Cornelian cherrygroves; mixed-subtropical forests with anevergreenunderwood;chestnut groves;beech,willow, andalderwoods; and from polydominant forests nearriver terraces and on large growing-overscree. At the upper limit of its altitudinal distribution this snake reaches theconiferous forests zone, but is not found deep in this forest type. It has been recorded from theecotone of beech-fir forest and motley grass. It may also be found in areas oftea cultivation (Baran and Atatur, 1998).
On the Black Sea coast it emerges fromhibernation in March, but at altitudes of 600–800 m (2,000–2,600 ft) above sea level it emerges in the second half of April or the beginning of May. It reproduces from the end of March up to the middle of May. Hibernation begins at the start of November for coastal populations, and at the end of September or the beginning of October for highland populations. The young appear at the end of August or the beginning of September.[8]
The speciesV. kaznakovi is classified as Endangered (EN) according to theIUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: A1cd+2 cd (v2.3, 1994).[9] This indicates that the species is not critically endangered, but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. This is due to an observed, estimated, inferred or suspected reduction in population of at least 50% over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, based on a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat, as well as actual or potential levels of exploitation. For the same reasons, a reduction in the population of at least 50% is also projected or suspected to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer. Year assessed: 1996.[10]
As of 2008, the IUCN red list of endangered species has listed the Caucasus viper has been listed as being endangered with a decreasing population trend.[8]
It is also listed as strictly protected (Appendix II) under theBerne Convention.[11]
Habitat loss and destruction, illegal collection, and intentional or accidental killings are the main threats to V. kaznakovi.[12]
V. kaznakovi is threatened by illegal overcollection for the international pet trade (Baran and Atatur, 1998). Additional threats include habitat conversion for urban development,tourism, andagriculture. It is becoming rare throughout the Black Sea coastal part of its range, with many populations already extirpated. Key threats to the habitat of these lowland populations include the development of tourism (such as health resorts) and housing, andagricultural expansion (including the ploughing of submontane areas). Within Turkey, the species is additionally threatened by projects to constructdams within its range.[8]
One further factor that affects the population of the viper is its gestation and birthing procedure. The viper isviviparous. Therefore when the mother viper is injured or killed, the entire litter is affected, whereas in anoviparous snake each individual egg has a chance of surviving no matter what happens to the mother.[13]
