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Vipera aspis


Vipera aspis
Photo Information
Copyright: Emmanuel Boitier (emmari) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 105 W: 0 N: 387] (3105)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-13
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma 150mm F2.8 APO Macro DG HSM
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-05-18 4:11
Viewed: 1316
Points: 15
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Vipère aspic in French
Asp Viper in English
Hope u like it!

Vipera aspis is a venomous viper species found in southwestern Europe. But it a rather quiet and non agressive snake.

About the venom:
A bite from this species can be more severe than from V. berus and is very painful. According to Stemmler (1971), about 4% of all untreated bites are fatal. Lombardi and Bianco (1974) mention that this species is responsible for 90% of all cases of snakebite in Italy.

The toxicity of the venom varies. Stemmler (1971) states that the population in Passwang district, Switzerland have the strongest venom. Compared to venoms from other species, it is relatively toxic. Brown (1973) gives LD50 values of 1.0 mg/kg IV and 1.0-2.0 mg/kg SC. Tu et al. (1969) reports 4.7 mg/kg IM. Venom yield is relatively low. Boquet (1964) reported a daily extraction figure of 9-10 mg.

Envenomation symptoms include rapidly spreading acute pain, followed by edema and discoloration. Severe haemorrhagic necrosis may occur within a few hours. Vision may be severely impaired, most likely due to degradation of blood and blood vessels in the eyes. The venom has both coagulant and anticoagulant effects. Anticoagulant activity is apparently stronger than that of Daboia russelii. The venom may also affect glomerular structure, which can lead to death due to renal failure.

According to Cheymol et al. (1973), the venom does not affect neuromuscular contractions in in vitro preparations. Lack of this neurotoxic affect would indicate that fatal cases involving the cardiovascular system are the result of direct muscle injury or reduced oxygen exchange. On the other hand, Gonzalez (1991) reported that in two cases the victims developed neurotoxic symptoms, including difficulty in breathing and swallowing, as well as paralysis of the bitten limbs
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 449 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-05-18 4:19]

Fabulous shot of the viper with impressive selective focus. Fine resolution showing impressive detail and nice blurry back and foregrounds. Very well done. Regards,
Hakan

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2007-05-18 4:22]

Hi Emmanuel,
an extremely sharp shot with a brilliant DOF and composition.
Well done,
Joey

Molto bello questo primo piano: complimenti.

Ciao e grazie, Emanuele

Good focus on the head, nice pose from the snake. Personally I would prefer a slightly larger depth of field, and without the green leaves in the way. Just my personal preference.

Hi Emmanuel
Sharpness just at the point!
Compo also very nice
Great
Tom

beautiful pic, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • GLEM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 529 W: 87 N: 697] (6141)
  • [2007-05-18 8:57]

salut emmanuel,
superbe image, notamment dans le jeu de netteté ponctuelle à différents endroits de l'image. Couleurs bien saturées, diagonale parfaitement trouvée. bravo

gl

  • Great 
  • falke Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 156 W: 17 N: 458] (1682)
  • [2007-05-18 14:09]

Very beautiful composition! I love the colours and the movement from unsharp body to full focus on the hegad and eye!

Maybe the big bright frame steal to much attention from this beautiful photo?

Regards/Bengt

après avoir aprécié tes paysages hivernaux d'une extrème pureté sur benelux, je découvre des images que j'avais surement loupé, et j'en suis d'autant plus ravi ! Celle-ci est vraiment impressionante... le regard de cette vipère est captivant ! je suis sous le charme

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