Central Turkish mountain viper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Central Turkish mountain viper |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Montivipera |
| Species: |
M. albizona
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| Binomial name | |
| Montivipera albizona Nilson, Andrén & Flärdh, 1990
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The central Turkish mountain viper (scientific name: Montivipera albizona) is a type of viper snake. It lives only in the mountains of central Turkey. Like all vipers, it is a venomous snake. This means it can inject venom. There are no different types (subspecies) of this snake known.
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About the Central Turkish Mountain Viper
What Does It Look Like?
The central Turkish mountain viper can grow up to about 78 centimeters (30 inches) long. That's a little less than a meter! Most of these snakes are smaller.
Its head is quite big and stands out from its neck. The front of its nose, called the snout, is rounded. It is covered with small, bumpy scales. The snake's nostril is inside a single scale.
Around its eyes, it has large scales. There are also rows of scales that separate its eyes from its upper lip scales.
Its Skin Pattern
This snake has a grayish color on its body. Down its back, from its head to its tail, it has a cool pattern. This pattern is made of about 30 narrow bands. These bands are white and have black edges.
Between these bands, there are brick-red or brown areas. These areas are about 3 to 4 scales long. On the sides of its body, it might have small spots.
On top of its head, there are usually two large black spots. A dark stripe also runs from its eye back to the corner of its mouth. Its belly is grayish and has tiny darker spots.
Where Does It Live?
The central Turkish mountain viper lives in central Turkey. It is found in the mountains there. Scientists first found this snake near the Kulmac Daglari mountain range.
Why Is It Endangered?
The central Turkish mountain viper is an endangered species. This means it is at a high risk of disappearing forever. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists it as endangered.
Here's why:
- It lives in a very small area. This area is less than 5,000 square kilometers (about 1,930 square miles).
- The places where it lives are spread out and broken up. It is found in five or fewer locations.
- The number of adult snakes is going down.
- There are fewer than 2,500 adult snakes in total. No single group has more than 250 snakes.
This snake is also protected by the Berne Convention. This agreement helps protect wildlife in Europe.
What Kind of Home Does It Like?
This viper likes to live in very rocky and dry places. You can find it on mountain slopes and in fields.
Images for kids
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A central Turkish mountain viper.
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Map showing where the central Turkish mountain viper lives.
 | Misty Copeland |
 | Raven Wilkinson |
 | Debra Austin |
 | Aesha Ash |
