Vipera berus

• Main Author: Elmberg, Johan
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Taxonomy; Animalia; Chordata; Reptilia; Squamata; Viperidae; Vipera; Vipera berus; Aktse; Flatruet; Lilla; Lule Lappmark; Tarradalen; North Sweden
• Online Access: https://zenodo.org/record/8030436; https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8030436

Adder Vipera berus (Linneaus 1758) Distribution (Figure 10). Included records from Artportalen (N=1250): all reports have been included. Any confusion between melanistic Vipera berus and Natrix natrix would not affect the distribution pattern. Common and widespread in the Southern and Middle Boreal. Widespread and locally common in the Northern Boreal, where often found in areas of varied topography with south-facing slopes that offer early snowmelt and dependable hibernacula (Andersson 2003; Figure 20). Scattered observations have been made in the Subalpine and Low-Alpine zones (Curry-Lindahl 1975; Frislid & Semb-Johansson 1981; Elmberg 1995). The highest reported occurrences show a slightly decreasing altitude from south to north: 940 m in Härjedalen (Flatruet), 900 m in Jämtland (Oviksfjällen), 720 m in Lycksele lappmark (Kraipe), but 820 m in Lule lappmark (Aktse). Most of these concern south-facing sites in the upper Subalpine zone, but also above treeline in the Low-Alpine zone. In the upper reaches of the river Lilla Luleälv (Lule lappmark) there are many records in the Aktse and Tarradalen areas (e.g., Cederberg 1974), suggesting widespread occurrence in the Subalpine zone there. Widespread and locally abundant on many offshore islands along much of the Baltic coast of North Sweden (Figure 10), as is the case across the sea in Finland (Terhivuo 1981). An illustrative example is the Holmön archipelago in Västerbotten, where this species is abundant on islands> 10 km from the mainland. This implies high dispersal capacity over brackish water. There are no indications of large-scale changes in distribution over the last 50 years. Habitat and movements. Males typically emerge from hibernation two weeks before females. Mating occurs near the hibernaculum, after which snakes disperse to summer habitats. The latter are largely the same as those of Zootoca vivipara: forest edges, forest clearings, stony slopes, rock outcrops, shrubbery, and shores of lakes, rivers, and the sea (Figure 12). In the vast ...