Vipera ursinii is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae.

[7] The specific name or epithet, ursinii, is in honor of Italian naturalist Antonio Orsini (1788–1870).

The smallest viper in Europe, its body is thick, its head narrow, and its appearance rough.

It is gray, tan, or yellowish with a dark undulating dorsal stripe, which is edged with black.

[12] Although the following subspecies are currently invalid according to the taxonomy used here, their common names may still be encountered: Southeastern France, eastern Austria (extinct), Hungary, central Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,[13] northern and northeastern Republic of Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania and Romania.

Vipera ursinii rakosiensis is native to Hungary[14] although the taxonomic status of this subspecies is disputed (see section "Taxonomy") The type locality is " ...monti dell'Abruzzo prossimi alla provincia d'Ascoli... " (...mountains of Abruzzo near the Province of Ascoli Piceno, Italy...).

Littering There is high genetic diversity within samples of Vipera ursinii and several species may be involved.