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Nose-horned viper - for all snake lovers


Nose-horned viper - for all snake lovers
Photo Information
Copyright: Iulian Gherghel (IulianGherghel) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 152 W: 2 N: 359] (1342)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-19
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Samsung S730
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/180 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna, Bayram's Favorites-1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-22 12:35
Viewed: 1041
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Size: usually not more than 50-80 cm long, but have rather stout bodies.

Habitat: lives in Banat and Dobrogea, in dry and sunny rocky slopes; in Dobrogea may be encountered also outside rocky areas, in bushes, forest margins, or inside forests.

Behaviour: slow, not very irascible snake. Warms up in the morning, then seeks shelter nearby, waiting for passing prey. Never attacks when in danger, but rather withdraws. In case it can't escape, it coils waiting for the intruder to approach. Only when in very close range (15-20 cm) with the potential enemy it strikes and bites. HIGHLY VENOMOUS, ITS BITE IS POTENTIALLY MORE DANGEROUS THAN OF ANY OTHER EUROPEAN VIPER AND MAY CAUSE DEATH!!

Food habits: eats small vertebrates: rodents, occasionally lizards and birds. Prey is killed by envenomation.

Reproduction: mating takes place in April-May. Hatchlings emerge in August-September and are about 20 cm long.

Enemies: man.

Conservation: in our country it is found at the northern limit of its areal and lives in isolated populations. The main threat for its survival is irrational collecting for trading purposes (for venom harvesting). It is STRICTLY PROTECTED.
JoseMiguel, matatur, boreocypriensis, kaytan, cicindela, vanderschelden, zulfu, oanaotilia has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Iulian,
You've got an splendid image of this specimen.
The POV worked pretty good, and abundant light produced great details on the snake skin.
Well done and thanks for share.
My best regards,
JM

A good capture of this viper in a characteristic posture in its natural environment Iulian, its typical coloration and diamond pattern are perfectly rendered in fine focus. TFS and cheers,
Mehmet

Hello Iulian!
This is very nice picture of viper! I was many times on the Balkan Peninsula where this species occurs and always wanted to see it in the wild, but without any success. So thank you very much for showing this creature :)
And many thanks for dedication, I always liked reptiles, including snakes :)
All the best from Lodz my Friend!
And of course - Happy Easter Holiday!
Greetings,
Radomir

Hi Iulian,
Beautiful and dangerous...and it is not a Bond girl.
TFS
Annick

Hello Iulian,
Wonderful shot of this dangerous viper, wonderful details and splendid sharpness, very well done, Happy Easter!
Regards,

Bahadır

Foarte reusita fotografia! Felicitari atat pentru subiect cat si pentru compozitie, claritate, detalii!
O zi frumoasa!

Wowwww... Hi my beloved friend Iulian,
Superb shot of this beauty with perfect clarity, nice sharpness, POV and DOF. Great composition too. May be I said before, I am an admirer all vipers. Even, once I was biten :) by Levantine viper while we was studying its venom. But this was became a "love kiss" for me:-). I think this is a meridionalis race (if I am not wrong). TFS my friend.
I wish you "Happy Easter" time! All the best...
Cheers,

Bayram

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