[1] These names are in honour of the son, friend and colleague of Tuniyev et al., Sako Tuniyev, who studied shield-headed snakes and passed away three years prior to the official description of the snake.

[2] Vipers from the Erzincan area are unique from all other vipers by their small number of loreal scales and large number of supralabial scales.

[2] In terms of patterning, females have a rather small number of zigzags, with a continuous pattern, while males have a larger number of disconnected zigzags.

[1] Vipera sakoi is generally found in the Gumuşhane District of Turkey.

[2] V. sakoi is typically found in areas with limestone rocks, taluses and shrubs.