BLUNT NOSED VIPER VIPERA LEBETINA Linné 1758 LEVANTEVIPER
dangerously venomous
A very corpulent viper, well camouflaged and oftenly just laying on the ground near or even in small water pits, waiting for birds to approach. When passing the snake, it usually doesn't move,  what makes it easily overseen by hikers.

Identification:
This matt greyish to dun-brown coloured snake is very corpulent and can reach the thickness of an arm. Adults usually reach a length of approx. 130 cm, rarely up to 160 cm. Like all vipers it has keeled scales on the body where they are larger than on the head. Three very small black spots on the head are typical for this species.
The dorsum is with more or less distinct dark sometimes intersected rectangular maculations, as well as a second row of maculations on it's flanks. The belly is greyish-white to creme or pinkish with smaller dark maculations.
Like all vipers this species is front fanged with two long tube-like teeth which are placed in a pocket on the upper jaw, when not in use.
Biology:
In Cyprus this viper is found almost everywhere, but it prefers well vegetated terrain or rocky places and dry forests with small water pits, where it hunts for birds. It occurs also in and around gardens, stables and old houses where it hunts for small mammals or even robbs chicks, swallowing it's pray after striking and killing it. The Blunt Nosed Viper is nocturnal as well as day-active, depending on the season and the habitat. Also depending on the habitat and climatic influence, it is usually life-bearing but also laying eggs (Wiedl).

Distribution:
Known from some Aegean Islands, Cyprus, Levante to C-Asia; reported also from N-Israel but not recently.
Up: A specimen from Cyprus, at attention.

Right: The same specimen in typical position laying somewhere in the forest in front of a small water pit, waiting for it's pray. Well camouflaged it can easily be overseen by hikers - therefore: KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AND WEAR HIGH BOOTS!
                                    Photos: Friml & Preiss 1997
Although this snake is dangerously venomous there is no need to kill it! With some information and attention it is easy to avoid being bitten.
It only becomes aggressive when heavily disturbed and even then in many cases only hits with the nose to give a warning. All snakes are important factors in the eco-system and should be left in peace!