Viperinae

The Viperinae, or Viperines, are a subfamily of venomous Vipers in Europe, Asia and Africa.There are 12 genera and 66 species in this subfamily. Most are tropical and subtropical, although one species, the Vipera berus, even lives within the Arctic Circle.

Viperinae
Chain viper, Daboia elegans, a viperine
Scientific classification
Unrecognized taxon (fix):	Viperinae
Synonyms
Viperini Oppel, 1811 Viperes Cuvier, 1817 Viperides Latreille, 1825 Viperina Gray, 1825 Viperiodea Fitzinger, 1826 Viperiodei Eichwald, 1831 Viperinae Cantor, 1847 Viperiformes Günther, 1864 Viperida Strauch, 1869 Atherini Broadley, 1996

Description

Members of this subfamily range in size from the Namaqua Dwarf Adder, that grows to a maximum of 28 cm, to the Gaboon Viper that reaches a maximum length of over 2 m. Most species live on land, but a few, such as Atheris, live in trees.

Where they live

The Viperinae are found in Europe, Asia and Africa, but they are not found in Madagascar.

Reproduction

Most of the members of this subfamily are viviparous (ovoviviparous), meaning they give live birth, although a few, such as the Persian Horned viper, lay eggs.

Genera

• Uzungwe viper (Adenorhinos)
• Bush viper (Atheris)
• Puff adder (Bitis)
• Horned viper (Cerastes)
• Russell's viper (Daboia)
• Saw-scaled viper (Echis)
• McMahon's viper (Eristicophis)
• Large Palearctic viper (Macrovipera)
• Kenya mountain viper (Montatheris)
• Lowland viper (Proatheris)
• False horned viper (Pseudocerastes)
• Palearctic viper (Vipera)

Other websites

Media related to Viperinae at Wikimedia Commons