Gloydius caucasicus, the Caucasian pit viper, is a species of venomous snake in the genus Gloydius found in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Afghanistan.[1]
| Gloydius caucasicus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Gloydius |
| Species: | G. caucasicus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gloydius caucasicus (Nikolsky, 1916)
| |
Etymology
editThe specific name, caucasicus, is derived from the Caucasus region, where this species is commonly found.[2]
Description
editThe average length of mature individuals is up to 750 mm. The body pattern consists of a pale gray or brown background, overlaid with 36-50 dark transverse bands that do not extend low on the sides. These bands are separated by relatively broad light areas. The head is typically dark brown or black, with beige or pale-gray sides.[1][3]
Geographical range
editThe Caucasian pit viper (Gloydius caucasicus) is found in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Afghanistan. This species inhabits a variety of environments, including rocky areas and mountainous regions.[1][4]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Gloydius caucasicus". reptile-database.reptarium.cz. Zoological Museum Hamburg. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 50. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Orlov, Nikolai L. (2007). "The Snakes of Russia and Adjacent Countries". Herpetological Journal. 17: 1–2.
- ^ Asadi, Atefeh; Montgelard, Claudine; Nazarizadeh, Masoud; Moghaddasi, Akram; Fatemizadeh, Faezeh; Simonov, Evgeniy; Kami, Haji Gholi; Kaboli, Mohammad (2019). "Evolutionary history and postglacial colonization of an Asian pit viper (Gloydius halys caucasicus) into transcaucasia revealed by phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses". Scientific Reports. 9: 1224.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)