Albino viper in the Chez Republic: |
Author | Message |
Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 11 Apr 2006 I've never seen or heard of Vipera berus having a yellow, or differently coloured tail tip than the body before now, has anyone seen this tail lure on British vipers? Click here to see it. Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata |
Posted: 26 Apr 2006 Not an albino or xanthic speciment Dan; in fact a fairly normal immature female loks to me 'I get my kicks on Route 62' |
herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2 |
Posted: 26 Apr 2006
I have only seen the underside of the tail tip, which is yellow or orange, in the adders I have seen in my survey areas - Hampshire & Essex Not completely around the tail like the photo Regards
Jon Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife |
djp_phillips Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2006 No. of posts: 180 View other posts by djp_phillips |
Posted: 06 Aug 2006 you want to talk albino? here we are, my friends Konrads photo: Banana viper Reptiles & Amphibians of France: www.herpfrance.com European Field Herping Community: www.euroherp.com |
Jimpklop Senior Member Joined: 23 May 2006 No. of posts: 200 View other posts by Jimpklop |
Posted: 24 Nov 2006 Hi All This is on and off topic. Is it me or do I see more herpetologists taking more pictures of vipera berus with different colourations and unusal situations (Like in the snow) Than any photographer in England, Wales and Scotland. Furthering that thought does any one have a picture of a BRITTISH adder in the snow? Would love to see one as I have not seen one yet! + It would look really good on my site. I give credit to all photographers and will freely add links to herp sites! Thanks Guys Im Craving Adder's(www.jimpklop.moonfruit.com) |
Vanderklam Member Joined: 20 Apr 2008 No. of posts: 39 View other posts by Vanderklam |
Posted: 28 Apr 2008 Hi Dan, Having just completed a uni study on vipera berus (and having taken data from quite a few specimens!!) I can say that i have seen a fair proportion of specimens exhibiting this yellow/orange colouration to the tail tip. Would be interesting to propose its purpose...........any suggestions from anyone?? Kevin Palmer Lecturer in Animal Management/Course Manager Reaseheath College |
Vanderklam Member Joined: 20 Apr 2008 No. of posts: 39 View other posts by Vanderklam |
Posted: 28 Apr 2008 ooh forgot to say that my study was based in the south west (Somerset) Kevin Palmer Lecturer in Animal Management/Course Manager Reaseheath College |
herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2 |
Posted: 29 Apr 2008 See this short note on caudal luring - http://nemys.ugent.be/documents/group16/Parellada2002AR.pdf Perhaps some long hours in the field may indicate if the adder uses the same technique though I dont think anyone has reported it before J Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife |
arvensis Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 445 View other posts by arvensis |
Posted: 02 May 2008 Dan, Here's an example from my local site: Mark Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group. |
armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata |
Posted: 02 May 2008 This is an interesting topic. I have spent more hours than most watching V.berus. I have seen on several occassions immature snakes tail waving. However, the tails were held in a horizontal plane - typical caudal luring is when the tail is held almost vertical and the tip adopts a wriggling motion. Well known species are young tropical mocassins (Agkistrodon bilineatus/taylori - Cerastes spp. and the small sand dwelling Bitis. Caudal luring is most effective re lizards, and as Z.vivipara constitutes a large part of the diet of young adders then who knows? cannot be written off. Keep looking! 'I get my kicks on Route 62' |
- Albino viper in the Chez Republic |