Bothrops ammodytoides, commonly known as the Eastern European viper, is a robust, nocturnal snake found in the mountainous regions of the Balkans, characterized by its distinctive brown or gray coloration with zigzag patterns and a potent hemotoxic venom. This vulnerable species plays a crucial role in its ecosystem by controlling small mammal populations and is noted for its ability to detect warm-blooded prey through specialized heat-sensing pits.