Palestine viper is not a problem, says ministry

AMMAN — The Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday denied rumours about the proliferation of the Daboia palaestinae, also known as the Palestine viper, in Jordan.

The ministry, in a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said that it is a threatened species of venomous snakes that is on protection lists.

It is illegal to own, sell or trade in them, the ministry said.

The snake exists in small numbers in remote areas across the Kingdom and feeds on reptiles, rats and mice, the statement said, adding that there is no need to kill it.

Whenever one is found, images of it circulate the social media, making it sound like they are widely present when they are not, the ministry stressed.

However, citizens are urged to pay attention when temperatures increase in the summer during the day and drop during the night, the ministry warned.

There is no need for panic or exaggeration on the issue, the ministry assured the public.

Palestine viper is a species endemic to the Levant.

Like all vipers, it is venomous and is considered a leading cause of snakebite within its range, according to online sources.

It grows to an average total length (body and tail) of 70cm to 90cm and a maximum total length of 130cm. It is found in northern and central historical Palestine, western Syria, north-western Jordan and Lebanon.