First record of the adder (Vipera berus berus) in Argeş County (Southern Romania)

The adder (Vipera berus berus) is a very widespread but threatened taxon in Romania. The southern slopes of the Southern Carpathians represent the subspecies’ southern range limit and the distribution of the adder in this area is scarcely known due to a lack of recent surveys. Here we present a new record for the adder in the SouthernCarpathians, which represents the first known observation of the adder in Argeş County. The record is based on two live specimens observed in July 2008, near the village of Sătic, on the east bank of the Dâmboviţa River, within the boundaries of the “Piatra Craiului” National Park. Ecological and conservation aspects for V. b. berus at its southern range limit are also discussed.