What is a Viper Snake?

The viper snake is a common name given to family of snakes that can be found all over the world. A viper snake are poisonous and have the ability to stretch its jaws wider than most types of snake in order to deliver venom effectively. A feature of viper snakes is that they have keeled scales — a type of scale that contains a ridge rather than being smooth. One of the most widely spread examples of a viper snake is the common adder that is found throughout most of Europe. There are only a few places where viper snakes aren't found, namely Antarctica, the Arctic Circle and Australia.

The fangs of all viper snakes are hollow, which allows them to inject the poison into prey during a bite. Both the fangs can rotate so that they are hidden away while not in use. When a viper snake bites, it will bring the fangs down in order to deliver venom. Although vipers don't normally bite humans, it is not unheard of since it is a self-defense mechanism for the snake.

The amount of venom delivered by a particular bite depends on the exact species of snake as well as how large it is. A viper snake may also take into account the size of its prey when delivering a bite as this will affect how much venom is required for a kill. The opposite is true in some cases when the snake is biting defensively — larger assailants will not always receive a larger amount of poison when bitten.

There are four different families of viper snake. The first is that Azemiopinae family and is commonly called Fea’s viper. This type of snake is found mainly throughout Asia. There is only one species included in this family. The Causinae is another family, which includes six species and is mainly found in Africa.

A larger family of vipers is the Crotalinae family, which includes more than 150 species. This snake type is found all over the world including South America, Canada and Japan. The family is more commonly known as pit vipers. Pit vipers have the ability to sense prey using heat — the “pit” is the part of the snake’s body between the eyes which allows for this. Pitless vipers belong to the Viperinae family and are found commonly throughout Europe and Asia. There are around 66 different species of pitless viper.

Vipers are known for their long, hinged fangs that allow them to inject venom deeply into their prey. Unlike many other snakes, vipers have a distinctive triangular head and keeled scales. They are also equipped with heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils, which help them detect warm-blooded prey in low-light conditions.

Viper snakes are widespread, inhabiting a variety of environments across the world, except for Australia, Madagascar, and Antarctica. They are versatile and can be found in deserts, forests, mountains, and wetlands. The habitat preference varies among species, with some like the Gaboon viper preferring rainforests, while others like the rattlesnake are more common in arid regions.

Viper snakes are among the most venomous snakes in the world. Their venom composition varies, containing enzymes and proteins that can cause symptoms ranging from pain and swelling to blood clotting disorders and tissue damage. However, the potency of the venom and the amount injected can vary greatly among species and individual bites.

Viper snakes are carnivorous and primarily feed on small animals. Their diet typically includes rodents, birds, lizards, and amphibians. They use their venom to immobilize prey before swallowing it whole. The size and type of prey depend on the size of the viper, with larger species capable of taking down more substantial animals.

Viper snakes exhibit diverse reproductive strategies. Some species are oviparous, laying eggs, while others are viviparous, giving birth to live young. For example, the common adder is ovoviviparous, meaning the eggs hatch inside the female's body, and she then gives birth to live young. Reproductive cycles can vary based on the species and environmental conditions.

The conservation status of viper snakes varies by species. While some are common and not currently at risk, others face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and persecution. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), certain species like the Armenian viper are considered endangered due to these pressures, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.