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A Baby Blunt-nosed Viper - for PETER


A Baby Blunt-nosed Viper - for PETER
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4173 W: 160 N: 5678] (15200)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-04
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna-II, Bayram's dedications [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-07-05 0:30
Viewed: 943
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 74
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Macrovipera lebetina obtusa (Blunt-nosed/ Levantine Viper) [in Turk. Koca Engerek] (A juvenile)

Dear Friends, Yesterday I was absent TN because I had some trouble on my health stemning my intensively working in the last week I think. Therefore, may be I missed some of excellent images uploaded by you. Sorry for this...

Today, I would like to dedicate this pretty baby Blunt–nosed viper shot to one of our beloved and heartfelt friends in TN, Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) who reached his 200th post two days ago, for his valuable contributions to TN. I wish you all the best my friend! Thanks for all!

Cheers,

Bayram

Ps. The total body length of this baby is aprrox. 30 cm :).
*****************************

It is a large, mainly nocturnal, stout-bodied viper with a maximum length about 1.80 m [click here to see an adult individual]. The head is large, with blunt nose, triangular, clearly distinct from neck. The eyes are large, with a vertical pupil and yellowish to brownish iris. The tail is relatively short, especially in females. The head covered with only small, strongly keeled scales (no plates!). The body scales are also strongly keeled ordered into 23-27 rows at midbody (25-27 in M. l. obtusa). Ventral and subcaudal plate numbers is varied between 126-181 and 33-58 respectively. These numbers are also showed a sexual dimorphism: 127-177 ventrals in males, 152-181 in females, 33-51 (males)/29-58 (females) paired subcaudal plates plus one conical scale at the tail tip. The dorsum is gray or brownish-grey, with dark, sometimes indistinct (especially in M. l. lebetina from Cyprus), often blackish to brownish large maculations, which are sometimes two pieced, and their edges surrounded with dun-colored bands, their middles brick red. Head uniform above, with a sometimes indistinct band running from the eye to the mouth angle. There is a row of dark maculations on flanks. Belly is whitish to grayish brown, with dark gray spots.

This species is a ground-dweller, diurnal in colder periods, nocturnal in the hottest periods. Often it is encountered on roads during the night time in summer. It is seen frequently in flat meadows or pastures without trees and rocky places, ruins, cultivated fields and gardens. It feeds mainly on rodents, other small mammals, birds, lizards and occasionally even other snakes. It is rather shy, but ready to bite if cornered. When disturbed, it starts the typical body coils are arranged in a double crescent, with the concave side including “S”-curved neck and ready-to-strike head turned towards the enemy. Due to the effectiveness and large volume of the venom, it is the most dangerous snake of Turkey (with the subspecies of obtusa which I photographed here). In Turkey, the abundances of all viper species (around 15 species belonging to the three different genera: Montivipera, Vipera and Macrovipera) are extremely low. Therefore, it is evident that all vipers are endangered and needs protection.

Blunt-nosed viper is distributed in the Near and Middle East from Levantine coast to Kazakhstan and Pakistan, with a relict occurrence in N. Africa (Tunisia and Algeria with the subspecies of M. l. transmediterranea) with a vertical distribution of 0-2000m asl. This polymorphic species is represented 4 currently recognized subspecies: nominotypic (Cyprus), obtusa (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, east to west Pakistan and Afganistan-In Turkey it is found in E Mediterranean Region, E and SE Anatolia), M. l. transmediterranea (Tunisia and Algeria) and M. l. turanica (Kazakhstan, N Iran and Afghanistan).

Ps. In addition to mentioned above information the Cypriotic and Anatolian Blunt-Nosed Vipers were distinctly different in terms of the number of Supraoculars, the number of scales arranged in a ring around the eyes (circumoculars) and the number of ventral plates. the nominate subspecies (restricted to Cyprus) is distinguished from M. l. obtusa, by a lower number of ventral plates and a smaller body size.

References:
1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Göçmen, B., Arikan, H., Mermer, A., Langerwerf, B. & Bahar, H. (2006). Morphological, Hemipenial and Venom Electrophoresis Comparisons of Levantine Viper, Macrovipera lebetina (Linnaeus, 1758) from Cyprus and Southern Anatolia. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 30 (2): 225-234.
3. Göçmen, B., Arikan, H., Özbel, Y., Mermer, A. & Çiçek, K. (2006). Clinical, physiological and serological observations on human folowing Macrovipera lebetina lebetina envenomating. Türkiye Parazitoloji Dergisi (Acta Parasitologica Turcica), 30 (2): 158-162.
4. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
5. Disi, A. M., Modry, D., Necas, P. & Rifai, L. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Edition Chimaira, 408 pp.
6. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
7. Arikan, H., Göçmen, B., Mermer, A. & Bahar, H. (2005). An electrophoretic
comparison of the venoms of a colubrid and various viperid snakes from Turkey and
Cyprus, with some taxonomic and phylogenetic implications. Zootaxa, 1038: 1-10.
8. Arikan, H., G., Göçmen, B., Kumlutas, Y., Alpagut-Keskin, N., Ilgaz, Ç. & Yildiz, M. Z. (2008). Electrophoretic characterisation of the venom samples obtained from various Anatolian snakes (Serpentes: Colubridae, Viperidae, Elapidae). North-Western Journal of Zoology, 4 (1): 16-28.
Gert-Paassen, JORAPAVI, nkasot, bahadir, zulfu, haraprasan, cypturk, weeksy, ammodytes, uleko, sandpiper2, PeterZ, maurydv, xTauruSx, SelenE, marhowie, gpeler, mayuresh, jaycee, nglen, yasemin, red45, Luis52, Jamesp, CeltickRanger, jpdenk, Silvio2006, montivipera, eng55, vanderschelden has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To jaycee: Hi Sister Janeboreocypriensis 1 07-05 10:28
To PeterZ: Hi Peterboreocypriensis 1 07-05 06:00
To uleko: Hi Ullaboreocypriensis 1 07-05 05:45
To ammodytes: slmboreocypriensis 1 07-05 03:15
To gerbilratz: Hi Howardboreocypriensis 2 07-05 03:14
To mariki: Thanksboreocypriensis 1 07-05 03:03
To gerbilratz: Me againboreocypriensis 1 07-05 02:22
To JORAPAVI: Hi Joseboreocypriensis 1 07-05 01:08
To cako: Slm Cahit Beyboreocypriensis 1 07-05 01:07
To Gert-Paassen: Thanksboreocypriensis 1 07-05 00:54
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi bro Bayram,

very good dedicated pictore to Peter also an Dutchman.
The snake are lying in a beautiful pose and the details are exellent.

Gert

Ps, yesterday also posted a very beautiful butterfly.

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 471 W: 0 N: 511] (2465)
  • [2008-07-05 1:00]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram hocam çokgüzel bir kare olmuş artık ne zaman yılan kertenkele görsem bu ne olaki Bayram hocamın karelerine bakıp ismini bulayım diyorum ellerinize sağlık.

Hola Bayram,
Magnífica captura, excelente definición y detalles, hasta la serpiente parece colaborar con su pose, saludos
José Ramón

Bayram hocam nefis bir yakın plan çekimi. Juvenil olmasına rağmen yine de devasa görünüyor.D
Elinize emeğinize sağlık.
Nazım

Sevimli bir engerek yavrusaunun oldukça depğerli ve pul detaylarını en ince detayına kadar göstren bir makro hocam. elinize sağlık. Tipik engerek bekleme pozisyonu da ayrıca dikkate değer. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 600 W: 0 N: 117] (669)
  • [2008-07-05 1:22]

Tek kelimeyle mükemmel bir makro. İyi bir SDZ ile tüm pholidos ve desen bariz hocam. elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Hi Bayram,
A nice capture of this viper snake. Very well composed shot with sharp details and a very nice POV. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Beautiful photo of this dangerously venomous viper with great sharp details... Impressive head and eyes... tfs... kind regards, cypturk

Hi Bayram, baby vipers... good info, and a fine specimen, is it correct that Vipers are ovoviparous?... best regards to you... and have a holiday!!!

Hello Bayram,

Not at home, only marking.
Mariki

Merhaba Hocam, elinize sağlık her zmankı gıbı yıne cok guzel olmuş. En sevdiğiniz hayvan bu herhalde ama onlar da sızı en az sızın kadar sevıyor olmalılar:D Bu arada gecmış olsun.
Kendinize iyi bakın
İyi çalışmalar
Fİliz

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2585 W: 170 N: 7879] (24911)
  • [2008-07-05 3:35]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
You must look after yourself and curl up and have a rest like this one!! Hope you feel better now.
This is a fine capture of this 'big' baby Viper. Great details and well composed.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

nice baby! greetings and have a nice weekend, Ori

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 6 N: 3063] (11326)
  • [2008-07-05 4:41]

Hi Bayram,you're a little crazy..eheheh..this is a terrible viper,you are a brave photographer,nothing to say about the pic,it's perfect as usual and your note always interesting,have a nice weekend,Luciano

Hi Bayram

Great shot of this baby viper. I'm sure Peter will like it.
Excellent composition and sharpness. Good light and exposure.
Great DOF and POV.

PS I posted a Diamond Python yesterday.

Chris

Hello friend Bayram,
What a surprise! Thanks you for this wonderful dedication. I feel honoured. How do you know I like snakes very much?
Very beautiful light and natural colours in this photo. Great sharpness, POV and an excellent composition as always.
Have a great weekend,
Peter

Spettacolare momentoo di cattura di questa giovane vipera, ottimi POV e composizione, buona definizione dei dettagli(ben evidenziata la pupilla verticale), molto belli e naturali i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Selam hocam.çok güzel bir engerek yavrusu ve makrosu. elinize sağlık.
Deniz

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2426 W: 63 N: 4002] (12926)
  • [2008-07-05 6:52]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Cok guzel bir yilan. Cekim aciniz ve detaylar cok hos.Elinize saglik
Selamlar

Hey big bro!
It looks dangerous even if it is small!But it is very beautiful!
Cheers!
Goldy

Great capture of this baby viper Bayram,
The detail, color, exposure, DOF and coiled pose look fantastic :)
Well done & hope you're feeling better,
Howard

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
İlk engerek yılanı gördüğümdede aynı yorumu yapmıştım desenleri harika ve siz bunu çok güzel fotoğraflandırmışsınız. Tabi burdan incelemek daha zevkli:) ellerinize sağlık. İyi bir hafta sonu geçirmeniz dileğiyle.
Selamlar

Gamze:)

Hello Bayram,
nice capture of deadly viper snake,it is very similar to saw scaled viper found in india.
this image having great details and perfect sharpness,
well done,
tfs

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-07-05 10:21]
  • [+]

Hi L'il Brother,

I missed you yesterday - so glad you are feeling better now. I love the way this snake is coiled. It looks like he is on ice. Good natural colors and details. I think I would rather not meet up with him.

Jane

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5960] (22528)
  • [2008-07-05 10:26]

Hi Bayram. I hope you are feeling better my frien take care, This is a fine close uo of theunusual looking snake with the blunt nose. You have captured it with fine detail and natural colours. well done TFS.
Nick..

Hi brother...I hope you feel beter we miss you yesterday...Great back with wiper picture...Amazing focus....Eye, patten, colour and pose perfect...Information and composition very good....Good choice for Peter...Wish you feel better and all the best...Muck...Leyla

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1888 W: 245 N: 6180] (22002)
  • [2008-07-05 12:40]

Hi Geckoman!
Sorry to hear you weren't feeling very well :-( I hope you're better now.
This is a great photo!
I love the composition and POV.
The DOF is perfect!
Sharp and crisp with a heap of detail.

Well done,
Joe

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2816 W: 75 N: 7977] (26975)
  • [2008-07-05 12:54]

Hello Bayram!

Very good shot and excellent note [as always]! I like details on vipers' body and its pose. Rather dangerous baby :-)

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1026 W: 5 N: 2888] (10447)
  • [2008-07-05 14:02]

Hola Bayram.
Hermosa la foto. La serpiente tiene hermosos colores en su cuerpo, y la imagen esta muy bien lograda, pues se aprecian exelentes detalles en ella.
La nota exelente tambien.
Saludos Bayram.
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1305 W: 0 N: 5107] (15234)
  • [2008-07-05 14:16]

Hi Bayram

Great shot and worthy dedication. Very goos POV and detail.

TFS

James

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1812 W: 29 N: 5246] (17188)
  • [2008-07-06 0:31]

Hi Bayram,
Outstanding shot of this great looking Viper nicely coiled up. Very impressive sharpness, colours and details on its scales and I like those big eyes. Excellent DOF and a well chosen top POV to portray it. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 996 W: 4 N: 2570] (11874)
  • [2008-07-06 4:42]

Hello Bayram, Very beautifully curled up and very well shot. The image is absolute beauty and superbly done. ganesh

hello Bayram

i don't love these creatures, so i will do fast in my critique,
excellent image with fine POV, great sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed
smileys tomorrow

Merhaba Hocam,
Yavru engereği çok güzel fotoğraflamışsınız. Bir de eşi vardı bunun, ikisini bir arada çekmediniz mi?
Saygılar
Naşit

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 474 W: 3 N: 474] (1475)
  • [2008-07-07 4:57]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Detayları,kadraj ve ışığıyla 4/4 lük bir çalışma.Tebrikler,ellerinize sağlık!

Hi Bayran, beautiful baby viper with fantastic details and great sharpness, as usual for you interesting note, very well done, ciao Silvio

'Cute' baby, Bayram.
No intentions to corner it though:-)
Well done
TFS
Annick

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