Vipera palaestinae

Common names: Palestine viper,^[2] Palestinian viper.^[3]

Vipera palaestinae is a venomous viper species found in Syria, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon.^[1] Considered a leading cause of snakebite within its range.^[4] No subspecies are currently recognized.^[5]

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Description

Grows to an average length of 70-90 cm, with a maximum of 130 cm.^[2]

Geographic range

Syria, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon.^[1] Mallow et al. (2003) describe the range as relatively restricted, with the distribution being concentrated in the Mediterranean coastal plains to the inland hills of Lebanon and Israel, along with the adjoining regions of Syria and Jordan.^[2] The type locality given is "Haifa, Palästina."^[1]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).^[6] It was given this status due to its relatively wide distribution, the fact that it is found in a wide range of habitats, its presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The population trend is unknown. Year assessed: 2005. ^[7]

Taxonomy

The classification of this species has resulted in much taxonomic controversy. Before Werner (1938), these snakes were incorporated into V. xanthina, and subsequently synonymized with V. lebetina by Boulenger (1896). Mertens (1952) moved it back to V xanthina as a subspecies, and more recently a number of authorities, including Obst (1983) and Mallow et al. (2003) have included it as part of the genus Daboia.^[2] The result is that many studies related to this medically significant species have been published under different scientific names.^[2]

See also

• List of viperine species and subspecies
• Viperinae by common name
• Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References