Montivipera xanthina (Gray, 1849)

Dorsal Coloration

This species, Montivipera xanthina, has dorsal coloration that is grey or white, marked by a black zig-zag stripe; melanistic individuals of this species also occur.

Dorsal Scale Characteristics

Its dorsal scales are keeled.

Typical Body Length

Most individuals reach a total body and tail length of 70–95 cm (27.6-37.4 in).

Maximum Island Body Length

On certain Aegean Sea Greek islands, this species can grow to a maximum total length of 130 cm (51.2 in).

Habitat Preferences

Montivipera xanthina inhabits humid environments, and it prefers rocky, well-vegetated areas for its habitat.

Geographic Range

Its documented geographic range includes extreme northeastern Greece, the Greek islands of Simi, Skiathos, Kos, Kalimnos, Samothraki, Leros, Lipsos, Patmos, Samos, Chios and Lesbos, European Turkey, the western half of Anatolia extending inland eastward to Kayseri, and islands of the Turkish mainland shelf such as Chalki.

Original Type Locality

The originally given type locality is "Xanthus" (located in what is now Kınık, southwestern Turkey) and "Asia Minor".

Type Locality Historical Adjustments

Schwarz (1936) listed this locality as "Xanthos". In 1986, Nilson and Andrén restricted this species to "Xanthos" [= Xanthus] (Kınık), Mugla province, southwestern Turkish Anatolia via lectotype designation.