Moorish viper

The Moorish viper is a venomous snake indigenous to northwestern Africa, specifically found in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Notably, there are no recognized subspecies of this viper. While it predominantly inhabits the coastal regions of Algeria, some records of sightings in Tunisia could potentially be misidentifications of a different species, M. deserti.

In terms of conservation status, the Moorish viper is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. This classification is attributed to several factors, including human persecution, accidental deaths, and over-collection, all of which have contributed to a decline in their population. Should these conditions persist, the species could soon be reclassified as Vulnerable. The most recent population assessment was conducted in 2005, and, unfortunately, the population trend remains in decline.

On the scientific front, there is some debate concerning this viper's taxonomic classification. Based on molecular studies, researchers like Lenk et al. (2001) have proposed that the Moorish viper, along with M. deserti, should be classified under the genus Daboia.