Viperinae

The Viperinae, or Viperines, are a subfamily of venomous Vipers in Europe, Asia and Africa.There are 12 genera and 66 species in this subfamily. Most are tropical and subtropical, although one species, the Vipera berus, even lives within the Arctic Circle.

Viperinae
Chain viper, Daboia elegans, a viperine
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Oppel, 1811
Synonyms
  • Viperini Oppel, 1811
  • Viperes Cuvier, 1817
  • Viperides Latreille, 1825
  • Viperina Gray, 1825
  • Viperiodea Fitzinger, 1826
  • Viperiodei Eichwald, 1831
  • Viperinae Cantor, 1847
  • Viperiformes Günther, 1864
  • Viperida Strauch, 1869
  • Atherini Broadley, 1996

Description

Members of this subfamily range in size from the Namaqua Dwarf Adder, that grows to a maximum of 28 cm, to the Gaboon Viper that reaches a maximum length of over 2 m. Most species live on land, but a few, such as Atheris, live in trees.

Where they live

The Viperinae are found in Europe, Asia and Africa, but they are not found in Madagascar.

Reproduction

Most of the members of this subfamily are viviparous (ovoviviparous), meaning they give live birth, although a few, such as the Persian Horned viper, lay eggs.

Genera

  • Uzungwe viper (Adenorhinos)
  • Bush viper (Atheris)
  • Puff adder (Bitis)
  • Horned viper (Cerastes)
  • Russell's viper (Daboia)
  • Saw-scaled viper (Echis)
  • McMahon's viper (Eristicophis)
  • Large Palearctic viper (Macrovipera)
  • Kenya mountain viper (Montatheris)
  • Lowland viper (Proatheris)
  • False horned viper (Pseudocerastes)
  • Palearctic viper (Vipera)

References

    Other websites

    Media related to Viperinae at Wikimedia Commons

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