Wagner's Viper
This is Wagner's viper, a snake that was thought extinct for about 140 years until it was rediscovered in eastern Turkey in 1983.
What is it?
Wagner's viper (Montivipera wagneri) is a venomous snake that lives only in eastern Turkey. People thought it had disappeared forever around 140 years ago, but in 1983, scientists found it again. This rediscovery was very exciting for conservation.
Where does it live?
This viper lives in rocky hillsides with lots of plants, near rivers and streams. It prefers cooler, north-facing slopes where there is more moisture and vegetation to keep it cool. You can find it in the Turkish provinces of Kars, Erzurum, and Arsin.
Why is it endangered?
Wagner's viper is critically endangered. In the past, its population dropped by more than 80% because people collected them for breeding and the international pet trade. Now it is protected, but it still needs help to survive.
What does it tell us?
The rediscovery of Wagner's viper reminds us that there are still many amazing animals in nature that we don't know about. It shows how important it is to protect habitats and stop over-collection of wild animals.
Connections
Next to find
- Find another animal that was thought extinct but later rediscovered.
- Look for a reptile that lives only in one small area of the world.
- Learn about how the pet trade affects wild animal populations.
奥氏山蝰
这是奥氏山蝰，一种被认为灭绝了大约140年的蛇，直到1983年在土耳其东部被重新发现。
这是什么？
奥氏山蝰（Montivipera wagneri）是一种毒蛇，只生活在土耳其东部。人们以为它在大约140年前就消失了，但在1983年，科学家们再次发现了它。这次重新发现对保护工作来说非常令人兴奋。
它生活在哪里？
这种蝰蛇生活在植被丰富的岩石山坡上，靠近河流和溪流。它更喜欢较冷的、朝北的斜坡，那里有更多的湿气和植被来保持凉爽。你可以在土耳其的卡尔斯、埃尔祖鲁姆和阿尔欣省找到它。
为什么它濒危？
奥氏山蝰是极度濒危的物种。在过去，由于人们为了繁殖和国际宠物贸易而捕捉它们，其数量下降了80%以上。现在它受到保护，但仍然需要帮助才能生存。
它告诉我们什么？
奥氏山蝰的重新发现提醒我们，自然界中还有许多我们不了解的奇妙动物。它显示了保护栖息地和停止过度捕捉野生动物的重要性。
联系
接下来寻找
- 找到另一种被认为灭绝但后来被重新发现的动物。
- 寻找一种只生活在世界上一小片区域的爬行动物。
- 了解宠物贸易如何影响野生动物种群。