Montivipera raddei
Montivipera raddei is a species of viper, a venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, and possibly also Iraq. Two subspecies are recognized. Etymology. The specific name, "raddei", is in honor of German naturalist Gustav Radde. Common names. Common names for "M. raddei" include rock viper, Radde's mountain viper, Kurdistan viper ("Vipera raddei kurdistanica"), Armenian mountain viper, Armenian viper, Radde's viper, Armenian mountain adder, and Zanjhani viper. Description. Adult males of "M. raddei" grow to a maximum total length (including tail) of . Adult females  are smaller with a maximum total length of . Geographic range. "Montivipera raddei" is found in Eastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and probably Iraqi Kurdistan. This species is parapatric or slightly sympatric with "M. wagneri" in the Aras river valley, Kars Province, eastern Turkey. The type locality is listed as ""Kasikoparan in Armenien" ". According to Nilson and Andrén (1986), Kasikoparan, Armenia (40°02'N, 43°26'E) is now part of Turkey (Kazikkiran [Kazikkoparan]), Tuzluca, Kars Province, northeastern Anatolia). Conservation status. "Montivipera raddei" is classified as Lower Risk with a subcategory of least concern (LR/lc) according to the IUCN  Red List of Threatened Species (v2.3, 1994). This indicates that it has been evaluated, but that it does not satisfy the criteria for any of the categories Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. Also, it does not qualify for Conservation Dependent or Near Threatened either. Year assessed: 1996. It is, however, listed as a protected species (Appendix III) under the Berne Convention. Taxonomy. "Montivipera raddei" is apparently closely related to "Montivipera r. albicornuta" and "M. latifii"; together they sometimes form the "Montivipera raddei" complex. There are two subspecies: the nominate from Armenia, Azerbaijan, eastern Turkey, northwest Iran, and adjacent Turkmenistan, and  M. r. kurdistanica from southeast Turkey and adjacent Iraq and Iran.