Vipers are one of the largest and most highly evolved groups of snakes (4). The camouflaged skin of these reptiles allows them to lie in wait for prey, which consists mainly of small mammals (2). Although usually slow moving, once they spot their prey, they will strike in a blink of an eye. The fangs are typically folded back against the roof of the mouth, allowing the jaw to be closed (2) (4), but can be erected by muscles when needed (2). After biting, the prey is often released, leaving it to seemingly escape (2); however, the venom then acts on the prey’s blood or nervous systems, and the snake can track down and consume the dead or dying animal (2).
Snakes play an important role in their environment, and the Caucasian viper is no exception as it controls pest populations, especially rodents, through predation (2). However, this beneficial role is often overlooked due to fear, as the Caucasian viper’s bite is known to be deadly to humans (2).
The Caucasian viper hibernates from November to March, after which it reproduces between March and May, with the young emerging from the end of August to September (1). Like most vipers, the Caucasian viper is viviparous (6), that is, it gives birth to fully-formed young, surrounded by a thin envelope of membrane which they must break through (2).