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Vipera monticola
Conservation status
	; Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia;
Phylum:	Chordata;
Subphylum:	Vertebrata;
Class:	Reptilia;
Order:	Squamata;
Suborder:	Serpentes;
Family:	Viperidae;
Subfamily:	Viperinae;
Genus:	Vipera;
Species:	V. monticola;
Binomial name
	Vipera monticola; Saint-Girons, 1954
Synonyms
	Vipera latastei montana - Saint-Girons, 1953; Vipera latastei monticola - Saint-Girons, 1954; Vipera latasti monticola - Klemmer, 1963; Vipera monticola - Beerli, Billing & Schätti;

Common names: Atlas mountain viper.^[2]

Vipera monticola is a venomous viper species endemic in Morocco.^[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.^[3]

[edit] Description

A very small species with a maximum length of less than 40 cm.^[4] Spawls and Branch (1995) describe it as the smallest member of the genus Vipera, reaching a length of only 345 mm.^[2]

[edit] Geographic range

High Atlas Mountains, Morocco. The type locality given is "Haut-Atlas, Massif du Toubkal, Maroc ... qu'entre 2.500 et 3.900 m" [Toubkal Massif, High Atlas Mountains, southwestern Morocco].^[1]

[edit] Conservation status

This species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).^[5] Listed as such because its extent of occurrence is likely not much more than 20,000 km², and the extent and quality of its habitat are probably declining, therefore making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable. Year assessed: 2005.^[6]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
^ ^a ^b Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
^ Vipera monticola (TSN 634996). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 18 August 2006.
^ Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
^ Vipera monticola at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.

[edit] External links

Vipera monticola at the TIGR Reptile Database. Accessed 2 September 2007.

[McD99-0] McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).

[SB95-1] Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.

[ITIS-2] Vipera monticola (TSN 634996). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 18 August 2006.

[Mal03-3] Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.

[ICUN-VM-4] Vipera monticola at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.

[IUCN-31-5] 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.

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