Eurasian Vipers; remarkable snakes!

[DutchHerp]

So there's a website in the Netherlands where people can report their sightings of all wildlife; from birds to herps to insects.

The 30th of January, 2009, a Eurasian Viper was reported, which I believe is the first report on that website of one during January, ever.

"Een jong mannetje, lengte ongeveer 20 cm; laag heerlijk in de zon op een nauwelijks ontdooide bodem bij een temperatuur van + 1 graad Celsius."

Translation:

"A young male, length about 20cm; basking in the sun on a barely thawed ground at a temperature of 1 degree Celsius."

V. berus is one of my favorite all time species

[N4S]

pics?

[Beardedragon]

Maybe its a good thing there was only one spotted, im not sure of how they do in cold weather but if none are ever spotted there might have been something wrong. When we found a lizard in December my friend "rescued it" because she felt bad for it, I told her not to because it should be Brumating or something of the sort,and it died a week later in her perfect care.

[Locutus]

European viperids are known to exit their burrows and bask in the sun even in winter cold weather; at least here in Spain this phenomenon is not uncommon. I love vipers too

[DutchHerp]

pics?

Not my sighting sorry, and no pics on the website. I only find 'em during summer when I visit.

I have pictures in this thread though!

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=82356

Maybe its a good thing there was only one spotted, im not sure of how they do in cold weather but if none are ever spotted there might have been something wrong. When we found a lizard in December my friend "rescued it" because she felt bad for it, I told her not to because it should be Brumating or something of the sort,and it died a week later in her perfect care.

I've seen pictures of these viper with snow still on the ground. They wouldn't survive for long, but they are known to come out. It's true, if I were to take one home during winter it would probably die.

[CWalker]

Those pics are nice! The eyes on those vipers really stand out!

[Andrew82]

Its quite common to find v.berus in late winter, they usually dont like warm weather and tend to bask between 10-16c! These guys are even found in the artic circle being the most northen reptile species.

[DutchHerp]

Its quite common to find v.berus in late winter, they usually dont like warm weather and tend to bask between 10-16c! These guys are even found in the artic circle being the most northen reptile species.

I actually find more of them when it's below 18*... Man I gotta say I love those snakes. I think it's amazing they live in the arctic circle... Active 2 months out of the year or so, breeder every 3-5 years... amazing.

[carlo69]

here is a pic of v.berus in march , It was in norfolk that is uk not va