Vipera Berus

Vipera Berus: during the descent from Monte Lastroni we ran across this specimen, desperately trying to get away from us. The European Viper (or European Adder) usually has a cross type pattern on its back but there are animals which are completely black. In German, these animals are called Höllotter (Hell Adder), though they are the same species. The European Adder is the only poisonous snake in these parts. Sept 9th 2009