Vipera monticola

Vipera monticola, also known as the Atlas mountain viper, is a viper species endemic to Morocco. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

Description

The Atlas mountain viper is a very small species with a maximum total length of less than. Spawls and Branch describe it as the smallest member of the genus Vipera, reaching a total length of only.

Geographic range

It is found in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco.
The type locality given is "Haut-Atlas, Massif du Toubkal, Maroc...qu'entre 2.500 et 3.900 m " .

Conservation status

This species is classified as Near Threatened according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 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.