Figure (4) Daboia palaestinae (Werner, 1938)   ​

Common name: Palestine Viper

Diagnosis. Head triangular, distinct from neck and covered by small scales. In contrast to other Jordanian viperids, there is a single large plate on top of each eye. Supraocular intact and bordering eye. Two scale rows between eye and upper labials. Upper labials, 9-11. Lower labials, 12-14.  24 or 25 midbody scale rows, l60-l66 ventral scales, 35-44 subcaudals. Anal undivided. Body stout and tail tapers abruptly behind cloaca. Largest Daboia species (both sexes up to 130 cm). Colouration: Ground colour grey to ochre, with a series of light brown, oval spots with lighter centers and pale edges; the spots may be fused to form a zigzag band. Top of the head has two V-shaped, brown occipital bands with dark edges in front of which is one large, round brown patch. Side of head with yellow markings in adults (Amr and Disi, 2011).

Habitats and ecology. The Palestine viper is associated with oak and pine forested areas.  Some remnant populations still existing in deforested mountains as in Al Karak Governorate. Nowadays it occurs in rocky hillsides, plantations, animal farms and near human settlements.  This viper is a nocturnal species. It climbs trees looking for fledging birds or to ambush arboreal reptiles and mammals.  There is a considerable increase in the number of this viper in the Jordan Valley in correlation with the expansion of cultivated land and irrigated citrus and banana farms, which in turn has created an abundance of small rodents, especially mice and rats. Also, these places offer humid oviposition sites and the moisture needed by this viper to drink (Amr and Disi, 2011).

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