Occurrence of European Adder (Vipera berus, Viperidae, Ophidia) on Vlasina Plateau (Southeastern Serbia)

Abstract

The European adder (Vipera berus) is among the most widespread reptile species in Europe, but it’s distribution at the Balkan Peninsula seems to be scarce and fragmented. As going toward the south, specimens were more frequently found in the vegetational zone of boreal forests and high alpine pastures. In the South-eastern Serbia, recent occurrence of European adder was confirmed on the Vlasina Plateau, in June 2010, in a mosaic-complex of peat bogs and marsh vegetation. Recent engagement of ecology students from University of Niš in mapping actual local distribution of adder will help locating key spots for its conservation in this area.

Keywords

• distribution
• European adder
• Vipera berus
• Vlasina plateau