The meadow viper, also called Orsini’s viper, is Europe’s smallest viper. It is a venomous (poisonous) snake. Males average about 16 inches (41 centimetres) long, while females are larger, up to 2 feet (60 centimetres) in length.
The meadow viper preys upon insects, especially grasshoppers, as well as small mammals and lizards. Females give birth to live young (rather than laying eggs).
There are several subspecies of the meadow viper. Vipera ursinii rakosiensis, the subgroup found in Hungary and parts of Austria, is the most threatened, and many believe it is on the verge of extinction. |
