Head to head
Nose-horned Viper vs Asp Viper
Nose-horned Viper
VS Asp Viper
The nose-horned viper and asp viper are two venomous vipers in the genus Vipera that live on sunny, rocky European slopes and give birth to live young.
| Nose-horned Viper | Asp Viper | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Vipera ammodytes | Vipera aspis |
| Relationship | A close relative of the asp viper, in the same genus | A close relative of the nose-horned viper, in the same genus |
| Snout | A soft, scaly horn on the tip of its snout | A slightly upturned tip to its snout |
| Pattern | A grey, tan, or brown body with a dark zigzag stripe along the back | Grey to brown to reddish, usually with dark crossbars or a zigzag along the back |
| Danger | A potent venom and long fangs, regarded as the most dangerous snake in Europe, and any bite needs urgent medical treatment | A venom dangerous to people, so bites need medical treatment, though deaths are rare |
| Habitat | Sunny, rocky hillsides, dry scrub, and stone walls, often at high elevations | Sunny, rocky slopes, scrub, and forest edges |
| Range | Northeastern Italy and southern Austria through the Balkans to Greece and Turkey | France, Italy, Switzerland, northern Spain, and parts of Germany |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, though some local populations are declining | Least Concern, though some local populations are declining |
Nose-horned Viper vs Asp Viper: common questions
Which viper has a horn on its nose?
The nose-horned viper, which has a soft, scaly horn on the tip of its snout.
Which is the most dangerous snake in Europe?
The nose-horned viper is widely regarded as the most dangerous, with a potent venom and long fangs.
Do both give birth to live young?
Yes, both the nose-horned viper and the asp viper give birth to live young, usually in late summer.