An evidence of asp viper (Vipera aspis) consumption by a western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) on Elba Island (Italy)


Submitted: 1 August 2021
Accepted: 10 November 2021
Published: 20 October 2022
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Authors

We report a record of consumption of an asp viper by a western European hedgehog. The observation took place in Elba Island, providing the first evidence for Italy and, to our knowledge, only the second ever in support to previous anecdotal accounts.


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Di Nicola, M. R., Costa, W., & Mori, E. (2022). An evidence of asp viper (<em>Vipera aspis</em>) consumption by a western European hedgehog (<em>Erinaceus europaeus</em>) on Elba Island (Italy). Natural History Sciences, 9(2), 35–38. https://doi.org/10.4081/nhs.2022.568

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