Observations on the Endangered Iranian Zanjan Viper, Montivipera albicornuta (Squamata: Viperidae), in Captivity and in the Wild

摘要

The Zanjan Viper, also known as the Iranian Mountain Viper, or Zig-Zag Mountain Viper (Montivipera albicornuta [Nilson and Andrén, 1985]) is a small viper endemic to the Zanjan Valley and surrounding mountains in northwestern Iran (Latifi 1991; Rastegar-pouyan et al. 2008). The type locality is Abhar in the Zanjan Valley (36°8'N, 49°13'E) between Tabriz and Teheran (Mc-Diarmid et al 1999; Fig. 1). This species is generally associated with rocky habitats, including rock walls, scree, and cliff edges within the Valley. It is not present in the steppe-like habitat or agricultural areas of the valley floor. Nilson (2008) outlined the major threats to this species: over-collecting by commercial snake hunters for its use in serum production, resulting in a corresponding decline in populations, and livestock grazing. He stressed that the habitat appears to be in suitable condition, but since the snake is currently marginally protected throughout its range, there is an urgent need to restrict or, better yet, prevent collection. Nilson further said that this viper is not considered to be a great threat to people because it lives in a remote area at elevations of around 2500 m. The population is listed as vulnerable in the Red List of IUCN and is decreasing (Nilson 2009). Its conservation status in Iran—according to the Environmental Protection Council No. 168 about hunting and fishing of wild animals—is protected, but enforcement is difficult. Two areas have viper populations: Anguran Wildlife Refuge and Sorkhabad Protected Area in Zanjan Province (Kalantary and Parchiyanlu 2009) (Figs. 2, 3).