Reptiles
Asp Viper
Vipera aspis · also called aspic viper
On a sunny, stony slope in the Pyrenees, an asp viper lies coiled in the sun, its zigzag pattern blending with the lichen-covered rock.
Overview
The asp viper, Vipera aspis, is a Least Concern venomous snake of sunny, rocky slopes, scrub, and forest edges in France, Italy, Switzerland, northern Spain, and parts of Germany. Its variable pattern, upturned snout, and live-bearing habit make it one of the most recognisable vipers of western Europe.
A viper of warm hillsides
The asp viper needs sunshine to warm up, so it favours south-facing rocky slopes where it can bask and find shelter among the stones.
Status
Least Concern overall, though some local populations are declining.
Asp Viper: common questions
How is the asp viper different from the adder?
It has a slightly upturned tip to its snout and is generally found farther south and in warmer, rockier places.
Is the asp viper dangerous?
Its venom is dangerous to people and bites need medical treatment, though deaths are rare.
Does it lay eggs?
No, it gives birth to live young, usually in late summer.
Where is the asp viper found?
It lives in France, Italy, Switzerland, northern Spain, and parts of Germany.