Vipera dinniki
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Identification
Family: Viperidae
Scientific Names: Coluber berus dinniki, Montivipera dinniki, Pelias chersea, Vipera berus dinniki, V. kaznakovi (in part), V. k. dinniki, V. k. orientalis, V. (P.) dinniki, V. tigrina, V. ursini kaznakovi, V. u. renardi, V. xanthina (in part)
Common Names: Dinnik's viper, Westkaukasische-Kreuzotter, Dinnikis Kaukasusotter
Description
Small, fairly stout-bodied viper, adults avg. 30-40 cm (max. 50 cm) long, dorsal scales strongly keeled, in 21 (rarely 23) midbody rows. Head dark w/ dark postorbital stripe (continues as row of dark spots on flanks) & low ridge on snout. Often w/ light triangle mark atop neck. Body color & pattern variable, usually grayish (maybe tinged silver, green, orange or yellow) w/ dark middorsal zigzag stripe. Some specimens all black. Belly black. Tail ends in a horny point.
Habitat
Found mainly in upper forest belt, subalpine & alpine meadows, w/ rocky outcroppings & montane moraines, often near water; typically at 1,500-3,000 m elevation. Limited to Caucasus regions of southern Russia, Georgia & Azerbaijan.
Activity and Behavior
Not well known, but mainly terrestrial and diurnal (active in warm conditions). Prey mainly on available small mammals & birds; juveniles eat mainly Orthopteran insects. Ovoviviparous w/ usually 3-5 young/ litter (clutch); females breed biennially (once every 2 yrs.), usually need 3 yrs. to mature to breeding stage.
Venom Characteristics
Not much known, but probably mainly hemotoxic, and similar to the venoms of closely-related species (e.g., V. ursinni, V. kasnakovi). Specimens observed in field & captivity not aggressive, but will strike if provoked or stepped on. No significant bites, envenomations or fatalities of humans reported to have been caused by this species, so far.