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viper
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European viper A jumping pit viper (Bothrops nummifera) coiled on a green and yellow leaf, showing its brown, tan, and cream patterned scales and triangular head. A European viper or common adder (Vipera berus) with a zigzag dark pattern along its back and a pale underside, shown next to a scale bar indicating 10 centimeters and 4 inches. A jararaca viper (Bothrops jararaca) with a brown, patterned body is coiled around a branch against a plain blue background. rhinoceros viper rhinoceros viper Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) saw-scaled viper Vipera aspis francisciredi Wagler's pit viper (Trimeresurus wagleri).
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Rattlesnake. A rattle snake coiled on rock. Rattlesnakes are poisonous snakes that have rattles in their tails. Reptile. Possibly mounted or stuffed taxidermy snake.
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European viper
European viper European viper, or common adder (Vipera berus).

viper

snake
Also known as: Viperidae
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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viper, (family Viperidae), any of more than 200 species of venomous snakes belonging to two groups: pit vipers (subfamily Crotalinae) and Old World vipers (subfamily Viperinae), which are considered separate families by some authorities. They eat small animals and hunt by striking and envenomating their prey. Vipers are characterized by a pair of long, hollow, venom-injecting fangs attached to movable bones of the upper jaw (the maxillaries) that are folded back in the mouth when...

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