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1. Resting metabolic rates of the horned viper, Cerastes cerastes gasperetti (desert species), the moila snake, Malpolon moilensis (desert species), and the adder, Vipera berus (cool-temperate species) were determined over the body temperature ranging from 5 to 35-degrees-C using a double-chamber, volumetric closed system.

2. Resting metabolic rates of sub-adults of C. c. gasperetti and M. moilensis were higher than those of the adults over the temperature range 5-35-degrees-C.

3. Resting metabolic rate of V. berus was higher than that of C. cerastes. This may indicate an effect of climate on the energy metabolism of snakes.