Montivipera raddei (Radde's Rock Viper)

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Montivipera raddei (Radde's Rock Viper)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3337 W: 139 N: 3772] (9906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-07
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna, Snakes - Serpientes - Serpents, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-24 0:24
Viewed: 989
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Montivipera raddei (Radde’s Rock Viper/Radde’s Mountain Viper) [in Turk. Radde Engereği/Radde Dağ Engereği]

Within Montivipera (Mountain Vipers) genus clearly may distinguish two groups: the western xanthina-complex and the eastern raddei-complex. In the former group, the circumocularring is divided by the supraocular, while in the second it is complete.

Within the xanthina-group we know the following species:
1) Montivipera xanthina (it is living in the western half of Anatolia, Turkey and adjecent Greece. It also is found on some islands close to Anatolia -like Simy, Lesbos, Samos, Patmos and Lipsi, except of Rhodos island-).
2) Montivipera bulgardaghica (at Bolkar Mts, S Anatolia)
3) Montivipera bornmuelleri (at Lebanon Mts, Lebanon & Israel)
4) Montivipera albizona (at the Anatolian Diagonal beetween the Balik Mts in Kahramanmaras and Mercan Mts in Erzincan, Anatolia, Turkey)
5) Montivipera wagneri (at around Karakurt, Aras valley, Turkey).

Within the raddei-group we know 3 species:
1) Montivipera raddei (lives in easternmost Turkey, Armenia and western Iran. In Turkey it is distributed in two isolated population: one of them is known from Kars, Agri and Igdır provinces –representing with the nominate race which it has a dark colour and pattern- and the other population is found in the vicinities of Iran and Iraq borders of Van and Hakkari provinces – representing with another race which has a lighter colour and pattern).
2) Montivipera albicornuta (at the mountains along the Zanjan valley and in the western Elburs mountains, Iran)
3) Montivipera latifii (just known from the surroundings of the Lar valley in the Elburs mountains northeast of Teheran, Iran).

All mountain vipers are rock-dwellers and may be found in rocky, sunny forests, in gorges and at rocky mountain slopes. While M. xanthina lives from sea level up to 1.600 meters a.s.l., all others have their lower limit at about 1.200 meters and climb up to nearly 2.000 meters above sea level.

A northern subspecies of raddei characterized by a reversed or inverted colour pattern, consisting of a darker ground colour with a light dorsal band or markings. Ground colour greyish brown, brownish grey, greyish black or blackish. A dorsal band of often isolated, sometimes dark-edged and roundish blotches yellow, yellowish-orange, brown-orange or reddish in colour, and smaller than corresponding markings in xanthina or albicornuta. Transverse black-grey spots on sides of body, often diffuse. Belly blackish in colour. Neck pattern consists of oblique, transverse or L-shaped black spots that may be united with the dorsal pattern on body. Supraocular plate angled and raised, separated from eye by circumocular scales. The latter form a complete circumocular ring (consisting of 12-18 small scales). 21-25 rows of strongly keeled scales around the mid-body. Ventrals and subcaudals change between 163-181 and 28-35, respectively. The species has a triangular shaped head and slender neck with a maximum size around 100 cm. Top of the head covered with small keeled scales.

It differs from the other two species in the raddei species-group (albicornuta and latifii) by having a relatively short tail, a higher number of ventrals [average 171 in females compared to 164 in female latifii; 174 in males compared to 165.0 in male latifii and 168.0 in male albicornuta], higher mean number (3) of preventrals (2 in latifii and albicornuta), lower number of subcaudals in males, and also higher mean number of scales in fırst circumocular ring (14.5).

It feeds on small rodents, lizards, birds and snakes. It is also nocturnal venomous viper, hides under stones in daytime. A sluggish snake, does not strike unless disturbed; its venom may be dangerous to man. It is ovoviviparous and a female gives birth to 3-9 young. The mating takes place during May or even later. Birth takes place in early September, but can be delayed towards the end of that month. The pregnancy period seems to be around three and a half months in nature.

Bayram

References:
1. Göçmen, B., Arikan, H., Yildiz, M. Z., Mermer, A. & Alpagut-Keskin, N. (2009). Serological characterization and confirmation of the taxonomic status of Montivipera albizona (Serpentes, Viperidae) with an additional new locality record and some phylogenetical comments. Animal Biology, 59 (1): 16 pp (#5087, in press)
2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp [2nd Edition, 2008].
3. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
4. Nilson, G. & Andren, C. (1986). The Mountain Vipers of the Middle East. The Vipera xanthina Complex (Reptilia: Viperidae). Bonner Zool. Monographien, Nr. 20: 1-90.
nkasot, zulfu, Gert-Paassen, xTauruSx, montivipera, rousettus, bahadir, haraprasan, SelenE, Raptorman, kebapci, jaycee, bahar, matatur, gerbilratz, jpdenk, yasemin, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hocam nefis bir makro. herşey harika. Notlar her zmanki gibi mükkemmel. Elinize sağlık.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 441 W: 0 N: 68] (472)
  • [2008-03-24 0:40]

Müthiş. Göz teması ile tüm detaylar ve özellikler. Göz önünde. Özellikle de notlar. Aşırı bilgilendirici. Elinize sağlık. Selamlar.
Mehmet

Ciao Bayram, superb capture of a beautiful viper with wonderful details and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hey Bayram,

also goodmorning.
good capture of thiese Viper, His eye looks not brave.
good of sharpness and with beautiful colors.

regads Gert

Merhaba Bayram Hocam, güzel bir engerek türümüz ve harika görüntülemişsiniz. Detaylar çok güzel. Teşekkürler.
Deniz

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2416 W: 132 N: 6653] (20877)
  • [2008-03-24 2:58]
  • [+]

Good morning my friend Bayram!
This is a nice one from your archives, the head of this Radde's rock Viper showing nicely from its coiled body. Your note is very interesting and informative, but I wonder how big it is: one meter, perhaps?
Thanks for sharing this one,
Best wishes, Ivan

Merhaba Hocam,
Can evimden vurdunuz beni :) Muhteşem bir hayvan ve bir o kadar güzel de çekiminiz, elinize sağlık. Bilgiler de her zamanki gibi oldukça faydalı. Paylaşım için teşekkürler.
Naşit

eline sağlık, nefis bir çekim olmuş. sinirli bakışları, pul detaylarıyla çok başarılı bir çalışma. notlar da çok güzel. selamlar.

Splendida e spettacolare cattura, ottima composizione, eccellenti i dettagli delle squame in secondo piano, la messa a fuoco è leggermente arretrata, molto belli i colori e l'ambientazione. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Çok güzel çekim hocam. Engereğin gözleri çok tatlı duruyor. Notlar her zamanki gibi titizlikle hazırlanmış belli oluyor. Elinize sağlık. Teşekkürler.
Bahadır

Hi Bayram,
Today I was watching on National Geographic and learned about two types of venom one is Neurotoxic (affects nerves) and another one is Haemotoxic (affects blood and tissues). And also I came to know that cobras are neurotoxic whilst viper (Russel's viper) is a Haemotoxic. You have captured a nice shot of this black rock viper. Very nice composition and excellent details.
But please be careful. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2337 W: 59 N: 4094] (13345)
  • [2008-03-24 5:30]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Cok guzel bir engerek. Doku ve detaylari cok iyi. Tebrikler
Selamlar

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1555 W: 233 N: 5091] (17959)
  • [2008-03-24 8:50]

What an evil looking Viper!
You are very brave to get this close to get this shot!
Excellent composition as always and an effective POV.
Sharp with nice clarity.
Superb DOF and BG.
Very well done Geckoman!

Owlman or Joe :-)

  • Great 
  • bahar Silver Star Critiquer [C: 22 W: 0 N: 5] (38)
  • [2008-03-24 9:13]

Merhabalar hocam
Çekim ve detaylar çok güzel. Elinize sağlık.
Bahar

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4022] (13255)
  • [2008-03-24 9:46]

Hi Bayram,

This Viper looks rather ominous. He also looks very big. I love the coiled pose and the head stretched out. Nice details of the face and beautiful skin. There are warnings on TV and radio here that the Rattlesnakes are out in full force and to be wary.

Jane

Hi Bayram ...That is a very big tube with teeth attached that can really make you have a bad day!! Stunning animal, amazing details and a wonderful focus. but please do not get too close!!! ha ha ha!!

Ciao Bayram,
splendido serpente dallo sguardo fiero e minaccioso.
Ottima messa a fuoco ed ambientazione.
Complimenti,
Marcello

Merhaba Bayram,
Selam!!
My appreciation for your contribution towards this site with your unlimited knowledge of Raptiles and their fine images! thank you from heart!
this one is no exception in good choice of larger size posting to enjoy and view the total shrpness, original colour and details in the Viper!
well done
my best regards to you and family
greeting from NZ
Tony

Hello Bayram,

Wow, what an amazing-looking snake! It looks like it ought to be dangerously venomous, even if it isn't.

Thanks,
John

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1086 W: 58 N: 2152] (7179)
  • [2008-03-25 11:44]

Hello Bayram,
Beautiful photo with great sharp details. Impressive head and eyes. Splendid natural colours and a good composition.
Regards,
Peter

Hola Bayram,
Kocaoğlan çok güzel ve hayli DOĞAL çıkmış arkadaşım, ışıklandırma pul detaylarını çok iyi ortaya koymuş, hani ne derler, "bundan iyisi Şam'da kayısı"!
Mehmet

BU NE KADAR KORKUNC BAKIYOR BOYLE. INSAN BUNDAN ACAYIP KORKAR. SEN NASIL KORKMAN ANLAMAM :D. GOZLERI COK GUZEL. SELAMLAR BROTHER.
LEYLA

Another great shot with details of the head of this Radde's rock Viper showing nicely from its coiled body.... Perfect notes too... tfs... cypturk

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