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Re: Advice about Macrovipera - Cyprus

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 8:09 pm
by Jeroen Speybroeck
Frédéric Seyffarth wrote:IUCN...
http://www.iucnredlist.org/search
Looking on Macrovipera schweizeri.

Weren't we talking about Cyprus lebetina? IUCN is a global across-range ranking, not for Cyprus. My point is that I personally think 'DD' should be the only ranking which can withstand scientific scrutinisation. You need quality data to attribute red data categories. Imho, there's a difference between '(potentially) declining' and 'endangered'. Even more so, if they cite road kills and collecting as worst threats, I'm not really convinced. :roll:
In my not so humble opinion, it's even nonsense for schweizeri as well. Many may dislike it or disagree, but decades of collecting on Milos have not endangered schweizeri. Same with decades of killing latastei in N Portugal. What DOES threaten Milos vipers is overgrazing and loss of quantity and quality of habitat (as Frédéric also put forward as of great(er) importance).
(Plus, note that schweizeri is only a subspecies now.)

Sorry for the derailment!

Re: Advice about Macrovipera - Cyprus

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 8:28 pm
by Frédéric Seyffarth
:oops:
I was on schweizeri taxon...So sorry but i thought that for one time i could bring something interesting in a topic. Too eager to answer.
I am in fact very interested about european vipers...
For sure, the situation on Cyprus must be different.

I am confused.

Re: Advice about Macrovipera - Cyprus

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:56 pm
by Thomas Reich
Andre Schmid wrote:I think for vipers the early morning is allways good time to search (if the night cool down).
[...]
Most people hate this beautiful creatures.

I have been to Cyprus in Mai 2008 (temperatures were already very high). All the few vipers were found in the early morning. I almost stepped on this big one...
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This one was easier to spot. In situ.
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Freshly killed snake. Note that the head is missing :(
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