The extremely rare Black Sea viper (Vipera pontica) is a striking snake with a dark brown and black zigzag band running along its back. It has an upturned, hornless snout and a yellow-green tail tip, similar to that of the asp viper (Vipera aspis). Its body is mostly dark brown and beige in colour.

There are four other similar species in the kaznakovi group which the Black Sea viper belongs to. The Caucasus subalpine viper (Vipera dinniki) has a similar head shape to that of the Black Sea viper.