Seoane's Viper

About the Seoane's Viper

Common names: Baskian viper, Iberian cross adder, Portuguese viper, Seoane's viper. Vipera seoanei is a venomous viper species native to extreme southwestern France and the northern regions of Spain and Portugal. Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominate race described here.

The specific name, seoanei, is in honor of Spanish naturalist Víctor López Seoane y Pardo-Montenegro. Adults of Vipera seoanei may grow to a total length (tail included) of 75 cm (30 in), but usually less. This is a highly polymorphic species for which four main color-pattern types have been described:

A: well-developed, brown zigzig pattern down the back, very much like V. berus, set against a beige or light-gray ground color. B: roughly twin-striped pattern, with the ground color expressed as two narrow, straight, dorsolateral longitudinal lines along the body. Resembles V. kaznakovi to some degree.

C: uniform brownish morph with no pattern. D: fragmented zigzag pattern (see V. s. cantabrica). Vipera seoanei is found in extreme southwestern France and the northern regions of Spain and Portugal. The type locality is given... Wikipedia →