About Vipera latastei Bosca, 1878
Size
Vipera latastei Bosca, 1878 reaches a maximum total length, including the tail, of approximately 72 centimeters (28.3 inches), and most individuals grow to less than this maximum.
Morphological Features
This species is grey in color, has a triangular head, a small "horn" on the tip of its nose, a zig-zag pattern along its back, and a yellow tail tip.
Geographic Distribution
Vipera latastei occurs in southwestern Europe, specifically in Portugal and Spain, and in northwestern Africa, across the Mediterranean regions of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Extirpation Status
It is considered possibly extinct in Tunisia.
Type Locality
The originally given type locality for this species is "Ciudad Real"; this was emended to "Valencia, Spanien" (Valencia, Spain) by Mertens and L. Müller in 1928.
Habitat
This viper can be found in typically moist, rocky environments, as well as in dry scrubland, woodland, hedgerows, and stone walls, and it sometimes occurs in coastal dunes.
Reproduction
Female Vipera latastei produce litters of between 2 and 13 live young per birth event.
Reproductive Frequency
On average, females only give birth once every three years.
