European Asp
European asp is a poisonous snake occurring in southwestern Europe. There are five subspecies of this snake. Males are a bit thinner than females.
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Subphylum | Vertebrata |
Class | Reptilia |
Order | Squamata |
Suborder | Serpentes |
Family | Viperidae |
Subfamily | Viperinae |
Genus | Vipera |
Scientific Name | Vipera aspis |
Other Names | Asp, Asp Viper, Aspic Viper, European Viper, Jura Viper |
Length | 60–65 cm (average) Longest Male: 85 cm Longest Female: 75 cm |
Color | Males are gray while the females are gray or brown |
Distribution | France, Andorra, northeastern Spain, extreme southwestern Germany, the islands of Elba and Montecristo, Switzerland, Italy, northwestern Slovenia, San Marino, Poortugaal in the Netherlands |
Habitat | Regions with low mountain or hills especially in limestone regions, lower plains, sunny slopes, scrublands, glades, forest clearings, at the borders of woods, mountain meadows, stone quarries, rubbish dumps |
Diet | Rodents, lizards, small birds |
Hibernation Fact | Hibernates during winter months |
Venom Fact | Toxic |
Breeding Season | April- May |
Mode of Reproduction | Ovoviviparous (producing young ones by means of eggs hatched inside the body of the parent) |
Litter Size | 6 to 7 (average) |
Gestation Period | 3 to 4 months |
Average Lifespan | More than 20 years |
IUCN Conservation Status | Least Concern |