antares-of-the-void-deactivated
Sword Guard (Tsuba), Metropolitan Museum of Art: Arms and Armor
Gift of a Trustee of the Museum, 1917 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY Medium: Iron, copper
Macrovipera schweizeri
Common Names: Milos viper, Milosotter
Description
Moderately large, semi-arboreal, fairly stout-bodied viper, adults usually 70-100 cm long; body light gray to orange or black, w/ (or without) faint dorsal crossbars, moderately long tail.
Habitat
Found mainly in brushy, rocky hillsides, often near water. Limited to four small Greek islands (Miols, Syphnos, Kimolos, & Polynos). Possibly Europe’s most endangered snake species.
Activity and Behavior
Mainly crepuscular or nocturnal, but sometimes ambushes prey in daytime. Preys mainly on migrating passerine birds & sometimes small rodents. Ambush prey by water holes, or climb into bushes to capture roosting birds. Oviparous, w/ up to 10 eggs/ clutch.
Venom Characteristics
Not well known, probably mainly hemotoxic, procoagulant & hemorrhagic. Bites of humans have been reported (but no documented fatalities).