Orsini's Viper
Vipera ursinii
A small, secretive meadow-dwelling viper with fragmented populations across Europe, generally regarded as having weak venom of little medical significance to humans.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.35-0.5 m (14-20 in)
- Range
- Fragmented populations across Europe and Central Asia, from France and Italy to the Balkans, Turkey, and parts of Central Asia
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Overview
Orsini's Viper, also known as the Meadow Viper, is a small, cryptic species occupying isolated grassland and steppe habitats scattered across Europe and into Central Asia. Habitat loss and fragmentation have caused many populations to become isolated and vulnerable.
Despite being venomous, it is considered one of the least medically significant European vipers, with a mild venom and a docile, retiring temperament.
How to identify it
- Grayish, brownish, or olive dorsal coloration
- Dark zigzag stripe or series of blotches down the back
- Small, slender body compared to other Vipera species
- Vertically elliptical pupils
- Keeled scales
- Distinguished from other European vipers by smaller size and grassland habitat preference
Habitat & range
Found in montane meadows, steppe grasslands, and open pastures across fragmented sites in Europe and parts of Central Asia, typically at moderate to high elevation.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal, active during warmer daylight hours. Feeds mainly on grasshoppers, crickets, and other invertebrates, occasionally small lizards. Viviparous, with small litters born in late summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Orsini's Viper dangerous to humans?
It is only mildly venomous and considered of little medical significance to humans, though caution is still advised.
Where does it live?
It occurs in fragmented grassland and meadow habitats across parts of Europe and Central Asia.
What does it eat?
Mainly insects such as grasshoppers and crickets, occasionally small lizards.
Why are its populations fragmented?
Habitat loss and land-use changes have isolated many meadow and steppe populations across its range.
Orsini's Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Orsini's Viper.
