The Near and Middle Easf 



cate scales above eye. Laterally, nasals separated from 

 rostral by small scales ; eye separated from labials by 

 3-4 rows of small scales. 



Body scales : Dorsals weakly to moderately keeled, 

 in 21-25 nonoblique rows at niidliody. Ventrals 134- 

 158 ; subcaudals paired, 35-48. 



Remarks: Four species were listed in tbis genus 

 by Klemmer (1963: 377). However, Anderson (1963: 

 472) reported that P. latirostris Guibe, 1957, was a mis- 

 identified si>ecimen of Eristicliophis macmahonii Alcock 

 and Finn, 1897. Marx and Rabb (1965: 167-175) corro- 

 borated tbis allocation. They also referred P. bicornis 

 Wall, 1913, to tbe synonymy of P. persicus (Dumeril, Bi- 

 broii, and Dumeril), 19.54, and accorded /'. ficldii 

 Schmidt, 1930, snbspecific status. Tbe remaining spe- 

 cies. P. jxrxiciix. was allocated to the genus Vipcra. 



Persian Horned Viper, Pseudocerastes persictuH 

 ( I)iiiiieril, liil)i'on, and Dtimeril). 

 Idrnti/iralion: Differs from the African burned desert 







^^^ 



VIPERIDAE: Genus Vipera Laurenti, 1768. 

 True adders. 



Eleven species are recognized. This is an especially 

 variable group, with .some members that are small and 

 relatively innocuous (e.g.. V. bcnis) and others that 

 are extremely dangerous (1". Icbrtina, V. riisKctii). 

 They are found from northern Eurasia throughout that 

 continent and into north Africa. One species ranges 

 into tbe East Indies (T. russelii). and two are found in 

 east Africa (.see Remarks under V. superciliaris) . The 

 long-nosed sand viper. V. ammndt/tcs, and the European 

 viper. T'. bents, enter tbis region from the north and 

 west (see p. 74 and p. 75). 



Definition: Head broad, distinct from narrow neck; 

 canthus distinct. Body cylindrical, varying from moder- 

 ately slender to stout ; tail short. 



Eyes moderate in size to small : pupils vertically el- 

 liptical. 



Head scales: Variable: one species (F. ursinii) has 

 all 9 crown scutes, most .species have at least the supra- 

 oc\ilars, but even these are ab.sent in one (F. lebctina) : 

 bead otherwise covered with small s<'ales. Laterally, 

 nasal in contact with rostral or separated by a single 

 enlarged scale (the nasorostral) , eye separated from 

 sui)ralabials by 1—4 rows of small scales. 



Body .scales : Dorsals keeled, w-ith apical pits, in 19- 

 31 nonoblique rows at midbody. Ventrals rounded. 120- 

 180; subcaudals paired, 20-04. 



Levantine Viper, Vipera lebetina (Linnaeus). 



IdcnlificaiiiDi: Head triangular, rather long, distinct 

 from neck ; body stout ; tail tapers abruptly behind vent. 

 Crown with small keeled scales; nostril lateral; supra- 



••liff. 



FiouKK 70. — Persian Horned \'iper, Pseudiiceraslcs persi- 

 cus. I'boto by Hymen Marx. 



viper in absence of keels on tbe ventrals and in tbe 

 nature of tbe horn which is composed of .several small 

 scales in tbis species and a single spinelike scale in the 

 African species. From other vipers within its range, 

 it differs in tbe presence of tbe supraocular horns and 

 dorsolateral position of the nostril. 



Color pale gray or bluish gray to khaki with darker 

 blotches or crossbands ; dark band on side of head ; belly 

 white. 



Average adult length 22 to 28 inches; maximum about 

 35 inches. 



I)islrihiiti<iii: From the Sinai reninsula eastward 

 througli Baluchistan. Found in sandy and rocky coun- 

 try to elevations of about 6.000 feet ; frequents burrows 

 and crevices among rocks. 



Remarks: Almost exclusively nocturnal. Hisses 

 loudly when disturbed but is not particularly vicious. 

 Venom of the subspecies. P.p. fleldii is highly toxic but 

 produces little local tissue damage. It should be con- 

 sidered a dangeroiis snake. Antivenin is produced by 

 the State Razi Institute, Tehran, Iran. 





Figure 77. — Levantine Viper, ]'ipcra lebetina. Photo by 

 New York Zoological Society. 



m 



