Vipera ammodytes montandoni

Vipera ammodytes montandoni is a venomous viper subspecies^[3] endemic to Bulgaria and southern Romania.^[4]

Vipera ammodytes montandoni
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Genus:	Vipera
Species:	V. ammodytes
Subspecies:	V. a. montandoni
Trinomial name
Vipera ammodytes montandoni Boulenger, 1904
Synonyms[1]
Vipera ammodytes var. montandoni Boulenger, 1904 Vipera ammodytes montandoni — Mertens & L. Müller, 1928 Vipera aspis balcanica Buresch & Zonkov, 1934 Vipera (Rhinaspis) ammodytes montandoni — Obst, 1983 Vipera ammodytes montandoni — Weinsten, Minton & Wilde, 1985

Common names: transdanubian sand viper.^[2]

Etymology

The subspecific name, montandoni, is in honor of "M. A. Montandon" who sent some of the first specimens of this snake to Boulenger.

Description

According to Boulenger (1913): "Naso-rostral shield never reaching the canthus rostralis nor the summit of the rostral shield, which is deeper than broad (once and one seventh to once and a half); rostral appendage clad with 10-14 scales, in three (rarely two or four) transverse series between the rostral shield and the apex. Dorsal scales in 21 rows [at midbody]. Ventral shields 149 to 158; subcaudals 30 to 38. A more or less distinct blotch on the lower lip, involving five to seven labial shields without complete interruption. Lower surface of end of tail yellow."^[5]

Geographic range

Bulgaria and southern Romania.^[4]