Vipera pontica

The viper

Adults may reach a maximum total length (among them tail) of 65 to 70 cm (26 to 28 in), but are usually less. Of the 23 males examined, the largest measured 47.5 cm (18.7 in) total length. While of the 16 females, the largest was 60 cm (24 in) total length.

Range and habitat

V. Kaznakovi is found in northeastern Turkey, Georgia, and Russia (eastern Black Sea coast). V. Kaznakovi inhabits the forested slopes of mountains, the beds of wet ravines, and post-forested clearings. It has been recorded from azalea and scumpea-Cornelian cherry groves. Mixed-subtropical forests with an evergreen underwood; chestnut groves; beech, willow, and alder woods, and from polydominant forests near river terraces and on large growing-over scree.

Pins are Wikidata “endemic to” fields. Orange dots, when present, are GBIF occurrence tiles — survey bias included.

In crisis

The species V. Kaznakovi is classified as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: A1cd+2 cd (v2.3, 1994). This indicates that the species is not critically endangered, but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. This is due to an observed, estimated, inferred or suspected reduction in population of at least 50% over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, based on a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat, as well as actual or potential levels of exploitation.

For the same reasons, a reduction in the population of at least 50% is also projected or suspected to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer. As of 2008, the IUCN red list of endangered species has listed the Caucasus viper has been listed as being endangered with a decreasing population trend.

Vipera pontica is Endangered on this catalog because that is the IUCN category stored on Wikidata. Confirm the official criteria and any later count on iucnredlist.org.

Sources

Written for this catalog from the English Wikipedia article on Vipera pontica, Wikidata item Q687891. Family and order context is original field-guide writing about the group, not a copied assessment of this one species. Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA. Not an IUCN assessment. Counts, when quoted, can change — confirm them on the recovery programme and on iucnredlist.org.