Arboreal behaviours of the nose-horned viper Vipera ammodytes, with links to video evidence

Vipera ammodytes is considered to be a predominantly terrestrial species although we report eight individual episodes of arboreal behaviour that include 1) copulation, 2) active hunting and feeding, 3) thermoregulation and/or waiting in ambush for prey, and 4) escape after capture and handling. To our knowledge, this is the first report of arboreal copulation in any Vipera spp., and the first report of active arboreal hunting by V. ammodytes. Arboreal thermoregulation and waiting in ambush for prey are difficult to distinguish from one another and vipers may combine these two types of behaviours. Arboreal escape after capture and handling is most likely the result of stress and it seems that it is rarely exhibited. It is clear that V. ammodytes can use arboreal habitats to its advantage and it is suggested that further study may demonstrate that arboreal activity is a more important component of the behavioural ecology of V. ammodytes than previously reported.