238 viperim: 



of the Alps it is much rarer than V. aspis, but it has 

 established itself in a few low-lying districts in 

 Lombardy, Venetia, and the neighbouring part of 

 Emilia. 



Habits. — As we see from the above sketch of 

 its distribution, the Adder generally avoids the 

 hotter parts of Europe ; when found in the plain 

 in the South, as in Italy, it dwells in marshy 

 localities, and Bonaparte called it Marasso palustre 

 (Marsh Viper) in opposition to his Marasso alpino, 

 Vipeva ursinii. In the North, however, it usually 

 selects in preference dry moors, sandy heaths, and 

 hills well exposed to the sun, in which, although to 

 a certain extent a nocturnal reptile, it delights to 

 bask. Its food is very varied : weasels, mice, voles, 

 shrews, moles, birds, lizards, slow- worms, frogs, 

 salamanders, large slugs, have been found in the 

 stomach, and the very young feed also on insects 

 and worms. Of irascible temper as a rule, Adders 

 are very ready to bite when fresh caught, but 

 instances are known of their becoming quite tame 

 in captivity, allowing themselves to be handled. 

 As a rule they refuse food in captivity, but some 

 have been known to live for as long as five years, 

 being fed on lizards. Accidents from their bite, 

 although seldom heard of in this country, are of 

 frequent occurrence in France and in Germany, 

 where many cases of fatal results on people have 

 been recorded. 



