Atlas mountain viper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atlas mountain viper |
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Vipera
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| Species: |
monticola
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The Atlas mountain viper (also called Vipera monticola) is a special type of viper snake. It lives only in Morocco. Just like other vipers, it is a venomous snake, meaning it can inject venom.
About the Atlas Mountain Viper
The Atlas mountain viper is a very tiny snake. It's one of the smallest vipers in the world! When fully grown, its body and tail together are usually less than 40 cm (16 in) long. That's shorter than a standard ruler! Some experts say it's the smallest snake in the Vipera family, often only reaching about 345 mm (13.6 in).
Where It Lives
This unique snake is found only in the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. It lives at very high altitudes, usually between 2,500 and 3,900 meters (about 8,200 to 12,800 feet) above sea level. The first time scientists officially recorded this snake was in the Toubkal Massif, a mountain range in the High Atlas.
Protecting This Snake
The Atlas mountain viper is listed as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This means it's not in immediate danger, but it could become vulnerable soon. Scientists are concerned because the area where it lives is not very large, and its habitat might be shrinking or changing. Experts last checked its status in 2005.
