| PALESTINE VIPER VIPERA PALESTINAE PALESTINENSER VIPER |
| dangerously venomous |
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| This is certainly the most dangerous snake in the Middle East, although it is far not that common as believed (Golan Hights). This, because the Palestine Viper oftenly is confused with other more or less harmless snakes, such as the non-venomous Coin Snake, Crowned Dwarf Snake, Dice Snake and the weakly venomous Cat Snake. Due to a lack of information it is even confused with the venomous but harmless Montpellier Snake, although the Montpellier Snake is almost uni-colour. On Golan Hights, Northern Israel, South Lebanon and West Syria the Palestine Viper is the only dangerously venomous snake, which occurs near human settlements, whereas Vipera Bornmuelleri is found at high altitude on Mount Hermon (chalk-stone, above Majdal Shams, Hadar, Arne) and in the Anti Lebonan Range (above Bludan, Sergaja), where it is quite rare. Further there is an old doubtful record of the Blunt Nosed Viper in the very North of Israel. Distribution: Israel, North to Lebanon, West Syria and West Jordan to an altitude of approx. 1500m. |
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| Identification: Very colourful species, usually reddish-brown to orange with darker pattern (brown to black.) These patterns, which partially can be rhomboid or melted together to a zig-zag line are with an interior darker and exterior whitish edge. 8 dark stripes are leaving starlike from the center of the head. On the flanks of the head, between these stripes, even dark or almost melanistic specimens usually are coloured in a more or less bright orange to red-brown.. As on all vipers, the scales are keeled and larger on the body than on the head. This species sometimes forms melanistic specimens, which can be almost black, but with the patterns still visible. Adults are usually approx. 80-100 cm in size, but can reach up to 130cm. Especially when aggressive, this snake can flatten it's last quarter of the body to appear more voluminous. Biology: The Palestine Viper is known to be egg-laying and is day-active as well as nocturnal, especially during the hot season. It feeds on small mammals and birds, likely in well vegetated terrain with rocks, beside fields, gardens and old stables. This viper even doesn't hesitate to climb in higher shrubs or on trees, and on old buldings to robb nests or hunt for rodents and birds. |
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| An adult specimen, photographed on Golan Hights. Clearly visible on this image is the ability to flatten its last quarter of the body to appear more voluminous. |
| Left: Especially young specimens are usually darker, semi-melanistic forms are quite common. Real melanismus (completely black) so far was not observed. Right: The typical attack position of a viper, always heading to the disturbant (in this case the camera...), but usually trying to escape sidewards. The snake will bite only if it doesn't see a possibility to escape or when disturbed severely! Avoid quick movements and slowly step backwards in this case! all Photos: Friml & Preiss 1997 |
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