Armenian viper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Armenian viper
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Montivipera
Species:	raddei
Synonyms
Vipera xanthina Strauch, 1869 (non Gray, 1849) (nomen nudum) Vipera xanthina — Strauch, 1873 (nomen nudum) Vipera Raddei Boettger, 1890 Vipera raddii [sic] Boulenger, 1896 Coluber raddei — Nikolsky, 1916 Vipera lebetina raddei — Schwarz, 1936 Vipera xanthina raddei — Mertens, 1952 Daboia (Daboia) raddei raddei — Obst, 1983 Daboia raddei — Engelmann et al., 1985 Vipera raddei — Nilson & Andrén, 1986 Vipera raddei kurdistanica Nilson & Andrén, 1986 Vipera raddei — Latifi, 1991 Montivipera raddei — Werning & Wolf, 2007 Montivipera raddei — Wallach et al., 2014

The Armenian viper (scientific name: Montivipera raddei) is a type of venomous snake. It belongs to the viper family. This snake lives only in certain areas. You can find it in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, and maybe Iraq. There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Armenian viper.

Where Does the Name Come From?

The scientific name raddei was given to this snake to honor a German scientist named Gustav Radde. He was a naturalist who studied nature.

Other Names for the Armenian Viper

People call the Armenian viper by many different names. Some of these names include:

• Rock viper
• Radde's mountain viper
• Kurdistan viper
• Armenian mountain viper
• Armenian mountain adder
• Zanjhani viper

What Does the Armenian Viper Look Like?

Male Armenian vipers can grow up to about 99 centimeters (39 inches) long. This measurement includes their tail. Female vipers are a bit smaller. They usually grow up to 79 centimeters (31 inches) long.

Where Do Armenian Vipers Live?

You can find the Armenian viper in several countries. These include eastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. They might also live in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Sometimes, this snake lives near another viper called Montivipera wagneri. This happens in the Aras river valley in eastern Turkey.

Is the Armenian Viper in Danger?

The Armenian viper is listed as "Lower Risk" by the IUCN Red List. This means it is not currently considered critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. It also doesn't qualify as conservation dependent or near threatened. This assessment was made in 1996.

However, the Armenian viper is still a protected animal. It is listed under the Berne Convention. This agreement helps protect wildlife in Europe.

Armenian Viper Family Tree

The Armenian viper (Montivipera raddei) is closely related to a few other vipers. These include Montivipera r. albicornuta and M. latifii. Together, they form a group called the Montivipera raddei complex.

There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Armenian viper:

• The first type lives in Armenia, Azerbaijan, eastern Turkey, northwest Iran, and nearby Turkmenistan.
• The second type, called M. r. kurdistanica, lives in southeast Turkey and parts of Iraq and Iran.

Images for kids

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  A full view of the Armenian viper.

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  A close-up view of the Armenian viper's head.