Differences between snake and viper

difference between snake and viper

Two types of snakes very common in the Cantabrian area that they are mainly found in nature, although on some occasions we also find them in domestic places. When we go on an excursion to the mountains, one thing that must be clear is to be aware of where we are going and always be careful not only with our clothes but also where we step or reach out.

Not all of us know the differences between a snake or a viper. These two terms, along with snake, are used to refer to the same animal., but there are big differences between them. For this reason, we will explain the main differences between them, in addition to explaining the main characteristics of each one and which are the most common in Spain.

In the world, It is estimated that there are more than 3000 different species of snakes, of which more than 10 percent are poisonous.. According to information provided by the WHO, World Health Organization, more than one hundred thousand people die each year from attacks by these animals. There are many professionals in the sector who say that there is still a long way to go to get to know these animals one hundred percent.

What is a snake?

snake

Distinguishing a snake from a viper, there are those who believe that it can be simple, but in practice everything is complicated since the visibility conditions may not be the best, in addition to the fact that the animal is in motion.

Snakes are usually larger than vipers, but there are also cases where they are smaller. The head of the snakes has a very characteristic rounded shape. Another feature of this animal is that they are poisonous to us.

The pupils of snakes tend to be wider and circular in shape.. These pupils adapt to the amount of light in the place where they live, so it can generate changes in the pupil.

The shape of this animal is usually elongated and thin, usually around 20 or 30 centimeters. In the snake family, it is estimated that there are about 1800 different species. Its scales are wide in size and dark, greenish, grayish or brownish in color.

The vast majority of snakes that we can find They are land animals, but there are exceptions such as water snakes.

What is a viper?

viper

They are considered one of the most dangerous animals and, they are spread around the world. This is due to the abandonment and poor condition of the fields.

Vipers are one venomous snakes with a wider head than usual and with a triangular shape and good sized fangs. Some species usually have a unique characteristic such as the pointed snout.

They are not usually very large, but can reach a meter in length. The pupils of this animal are very similar to those of cats, they are vertical pupils. The two fangs that it uses to attack are the part where they inject their poison, so they are quite dangerous.

If the viper attacks and sinks its fangs into its victim, the introduced poison will be deadly, since it affects both the tissues and the blood. To act this way, they have to be threatened so they will respond with this attack.

SIt is estimated that there are about 100 different species of vipers. In Spain, some species stand out, such as the Gabon viper, the Hocicuda viper or the asp viper. The latter being one of the most poisonous.

Snake turned into a viper

viperine_snake

https://es.wikipedia.org/

The European continent is home to about 45 different species of snakes, of which 14 are found in Spanish territory. Of those 14 species, 11 are snakes and the rest vipers. Many researchers claim that These animals are very important for the countryside, and in addition to this they are a natural heritage that must be preserved and respected.

One of the most common snakes in said territory, it was named as the viperine snake. This is because when this animal feels threatened and attacked, the drawing of its scales can resemble that of a viper, a zigzag pattern. Also, its head adopts a triangular shape and the way it attacks is similar to that of vipers, attack with a forward movement.

Differences between snake and viper

snake movement

If we are face to face with an animal of this type, and we want to know if we are facing a snake or a viper first, you should pay special attention to the scales on the top of the head and in the eyes if possible, since, as we mentioned at the beginning, this can be complicated by light and movement.

The snakes, in the part of the head, are covered by a layer of large scales, while the vipers are covered by escapes of a smaller size.. Along the body, snakes have scales similar to the size of those on their heads, while vipers can have different sizes.

As we have mentioned in the main characteristics of each of these species, Another of the fundamental features to take into account if we find one of these animals is the eyes. The eyes of the snakes, as we can see in the following image, are large and with a rounded pupil. On the other hand, vipers have a smaller eye size and the pupil is elongated.

Finally, you should look at the snout, if it is rounded you are facing a snake, while if it is flat and triangular you are before a viper. There are times that, in the front part of the snout, vipers have a very differentiating small horn.

Main species in Spain

Spain is one of the countries with the highest number of snakes along with others such as Italy or Greece. In our country there are eleven species of snakes and three of vipers. In this section, we are going to name the species of both snakes and vipers that live on the peninsula.

Snakes on the peninsula

The species of snakes found in Spain are the following:

  • natrixmaura. Viper snake
Snake-Viperine

https://riadenoia.es/

  • Natrix astreptophora. Mediterranean collared snake
Natrix astreptophora. Mediterranean collared snake

https://www.paleoherpetologia.com/

  • Zamenis scalaris. ladder snake
ladder snake

https://es.wikipedia.org/

  • Coronella Girondica. southern smooth snake
southern smooth snake

https://es.wikipedia.org/

  • Austrian Colonel. European smooth snake
European smooth snake

https://www.paleoherpetologia.com/

  • Malpolon monspessulanus. bastard snake
Bastard snake

https://es.wikipedia.org/

  • hemorrhoids hippocrepis. horseshoe snake
horseshoe snake

https://es.wikipedia.org/

  • Macroprotodon brevis. hooded snake
hooded snake

https://www.paleoherpetologia.com/

  • Hierophis viridiflavus. yellow-green snake
yellow-green snake

https://ecuador.inaturalist.org/

  • Zamenis longissimus. asclepius snake
asclepius snake

https://es.wikipedia.org/

  • Natrix helvetica. Swiss collared snake
Swiss collared snake

https://www.fishipedia.es/

Vipers on the peninsula

They are spread practically throughout the entire national territory. The species that can be found are these three.

  • Vipera seoanei. Cantabrian Viper
Cantabrian Viper

https://es.wikipedia.org/

  • Vipera latastei. snout viper
snout viper

https://www.paleoherpetologia.com/

  • Viper aspis. Asp Viper
Asp Viper

https://es.wikipedia.org/

Threats and conservation of snakes

habitat snakes

Most of these animals are protected under the law. But, due to the poor state of the fields and the loss of their habitat, some species are threatened.

The destruction and loss of many natural areas, whether due to human causes such as the construction of urban centers or roads, due to natural or arson fires, the intensification of agriculture, and many more causes, have posed a great threat to the conservationn not only of nature, but also of the survival of these animals and many others.

Climate change is another negative effect for these animal species, since climatic conditions are affecting their way of life and their habitats. In addition, these changes can lead to an emigration of these animals to new areas.

Another threats with the highest number of deaths for these animals, is the run over on highways. As well as, the collection or breeding of many of these species in personal terrariums or sacrifices for superstitions.

Notably One of the most positive points of these animals is that they serve as pest controllers.. In other words, they help to put an end to massive populations of rats and other animals whose reproduction is very fast.

La conservation of these species, can become extremely complicated because of everything we have seen before and because of the difficulty of their study, the negative impact on human health and the rejection that many people feel towards them when they see them. Encounters between people and snakes are becoming more common, so the conservation of these animals is difficult.

Ancient societies and religions revered them, but today there is a fear and repudiation of these animals due to ignorance, false reputation and misinformation.

It is important to have knowledge about each of these species to know what we are facing in case one day we come face to face with one of them. But it is also essential to have a good environmental education for its conservation and protection. It is the responsibility of each one to inform themselves in the best way so as not to generate misconceptions about these animals and to be able to preserve them.

Snakes help sectors such as ecology, biology, medicine, culture and economy, all in order to improve our quality of life. But due to the destruction of their habitat by human hands, the existence of many species is threatened. Remember, be environmentally aware to favor nature and animal species.


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