Some are egg layers, while others give birth to live young. coloratus - current taxonomic thinking is that the genus is comprised of a much larger number of species, at least 10 or maybe more. Long considered to consist of only two species - Echis carinatus and E. This is an Egyptian saw-scaled viper ( Echis pyramidum). The common name of saw-scaled viper is due to the snakes’ threat display, in which they “saw” their coils together, making a raspy sound. Now that we know a little about the vipers in general, let’s take a look at five of the true vipers I find the most interesting in greater detail. The combination of an abundance of venomous snakes and minimal available medical care renders snakebite a significant public health risk in many areas. The need for this ability persists today in many parts of the world, where the peril of the strike of an unseen snake is an ever-present danger. One school of thought believes that a formative force in the development of primate vision was the need to pick out the shape of a camouflaged serpent on a forest floor or twined within vegetation. They have figured into the development and history of mankind from the beginning and have left lingering impressions on our art and culture, and even perhaps in our biology. Many of them are strikingly beautiful in appearance, with colors and patterns that could almost seem to be designed purely for decorative effect. Vipers are a diverse and fascinating group of snakes. In addition, the venom apparatus provides an effective means of defense for these slow-moving serpents. Taking large meals reduces the needed frequency of feeding because the snake can take in much more energy with each kill. Their efficient mechanism of killing allows vipers to tackle large prey with a good degree of safety. Venom begins to immediately break down the animal’s tissues, making it easier for the viper to swallow its meal (the tissue-destroying properties of viper venom can cause horrific damage to humans or livestock that may be bitten, possibly resulting in serious necrosis and/or the loss of extremities). The prey animal is usually then released, and the viper will follow its scent until the venom has had time to work. They can strike with lightning speed, embedding their long fangs deeply into their prey to inject venom. They are adept ambush predators, meaning they hold still and wait for their prey to come to them. Most viper species are relatively sedentary in their habits. Most of the vipers are ovoviviparous, bearing their young alive, but there are a few species that are oviparous (egg laying). The majority of species are primarily nocturnal, although many are also active during daylight. Vipers are found in a wide range of habitats, from arid deserts to steaming jungles, and even above the Arctic Circle. Although the eyes of both true and pit vipers feature vertically orientated, elliptical, “cat like” pupils, one of the most notable physical differences between the two is that true vipers lack the temperature-sensitive facial pits that give the pit vipers their name. Their fangs fold rearward when not in use - a trait known as “solenoglyphous” - which allows them to be much longer than the shorter and more rigidly mounted, or “proteroglyphous,” fangs of elapid snakes (such as cobras, sea snakes, coral snakes and other members of the family Elapidae). The heads of vipers tend to be broad and triangular, in order to accommodate large venom glands that are connected by ducts to the snakes’ hollow, needle-like fangs. For the most part, they are ground-dwelling species, although a few, such as members of the genus Atheris, have invaded trees and bushes to develop an arboreal lifestyle. Although there are a few very short forms, as well, most of the true vipers have adult lengths of 2 to 4 feet. Vipers tend to be relatively short, stout snakes, with very few species reaching a maximum length of 6 feet. The true vipers are sometimes referred to as Old World vipers because their range is limited to Africa, Europe and Asia, whereas pit vipers are also found in the New World (the Americas of Earth’s Western Hemisphere). The true vipers are members of the subfamily Viperinae within the family Viperidae, which also includes the subfamilies Causinae (night adders), Azemiopinae (Fea’s viper) and Crotalinae (pit vipers). The first authentic viper fossils known are from the early Miocene of Europe and Asia, although it is believed that vipers probably first appeared in Africa. At 2 inches in length, the fangs of the Gaboon viper ( Bitis gabonica) are the longest of any venomous snake.
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