Featured Creature Rainbow Parrotfish Rainbow parrotfish schools graze over the coral reef much like a herd of cattle over a grassy field. One adult male (the "supermale") often leads these schools. Females if needed may transform into males in order to reproduce. The supermales are typically sex-reversed females and are very territorial, habitually driving other males from the area. Learn more about the Rainbow Parrotfish.   Join the Featured Creature Mailing List Would you like to receive a notice and link when the new Creature Feature is posted? Enter your e-mail address below:   HTML   Text-only Privacy Policy Need more Lar Valley Viper facts? Enter your search terms Submit search form

Scientific Name:
Vipera latifii

Other Names and/or Listed subspecies:
Latifi's Viper

Area(s) Where Listed As Endangered:
Iran

Also known as the Latifi's viper, the Lar Valley viper is a venomous viper species found in Iran. Many zoologists feared it had gone extinct in the late 1970s when a new dam flooded its only known location. But in 2000, an isolated population of vipers was found in the upper Lar Valley in the Elburz Mountains. Adult males can reach up to 78 cm in length and females can reach up to 70 cm in length.

The Lar Valley viper is terrestrial and prefers a rocky habitat. Most viper species have venom that contains both neurotoxic and hemotoxic components. Bites vary widely in severity. Little is known about the Lar Valley viper's reproductive behavior. All vipers are viviparous, giving birth to live young.

This species faces a high risk of extinction in the wild due to habitat decline and limited range of occurrence. The species was listed as endangered in 1983, but very few additional conservation measures have been taken to preserve the species. Today, the scientists who have recently rediscovered this species continue to analyze the data and specimens collected for study to help ensure its protection in the future.