#Viperidae

[herpsandbirds]

Variable Bush Vipers (Atheris squamigera), family Viperidae, from central and Western Africa

Venomous.

photograph by Mark Kostich

[snototter]

A short-tailed mamushi (Gloydius brevicauda) preys on a Chinese red-headed centipede (Scolopendra mutilans) in Korea

by Jean-Jacques Strydom

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Managing the Mangshan Viper

The mangshan viper, also known as the Mang Mountain pit viper, the Chinese pit viper, and the iron-headed pit viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis), is a species of pit viper found in south-central China. It is endemic to the Mangshan mountain region and the surrounding areas, and is typically found in tropical montane forests at elevations of 800–1,300 m (2,600–4,300 ft).

Mangshan pit vipers are notoriously hard to spot due to their camouflage-patterned green and brown scales, which are perfectly suited to blend into the forest. However, they grow to be quite large; some up to 203 cm (6.66 ft) and weighing 5 kg (10 lbs). In fact, they are among the largest members of the pit viper family.

P. mangshanensis is a notoriously shy and solitary species. They are nocturnal, using their camouflage to remain hidden and their 'pit organs' to sense the heat of passing prey. They feed primarily on rodents, birds, and frogs. Thanks to their size, ability to blend in, and their incredibly potent venom, adults have virtually no predators. Eggs and juveniles however, may be vulnerable to birds of prey, larger reptiles, and carnivorous mammals.

Though the start of the breeding season is unknown, females lay eggs in June or July. They may lay up to 27 eggs in a clutch, in a nest built from leaf litter, and guard them until they hatch some 50 days later. This is unusual among pit vipers, as most other species are oviviparous- incubating the eggs internally and giving birth to live young. Once the eggs hatch, the young are fully independent. Individuals may live up to 25 years in the wild.

Conservation status: The Chinese pit viper is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. There are approximately 500 individuals in the wild, and the population is believed to be declining due to illegal hunting and collection for the pet trade, habitat destruction, and climate change. There are about 150 Mangshan pit vipers in zoos and husbandry programs.

Photos

Los Angeles Zoo

Julie Larson

Václav Šilha

[exotic-venom]

female blue T. insularis sitting on top of a piece of blue agate

[miyrumiyru]

They warn me before I take a step closer, how kind!

Short-tailed Mamushi (Gloydius brevicauda)

[nature-scares-me]

a big viper, a tiny viper and a lizard

[nippongoto]

サキシマハブ

水溜まりを見つめる腹ペコさん。

[birdblues]

Blotched Palm-pit Viper

[faunalregion]

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

[tumbltag]

Get very here now

[herpsandbirds]

Hairy Bush Viper (Atheris hispida), family Viperidae, Uganda

Venomous.

photograph by Cristian Torica

[snototter]

A northern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) in Arkansas, USA

by Alan

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Bonus Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

People can change a lot as they grow up; you might change your hair, your clothes, even the type of venom you produce! As juveniles, black-tailed rattlesnakes produce a venom with the chemical crotamine, which causes paralysis. However, as adults, they ditch this extra chemical and stick solely to phospholipases metalloproteinases which prevent blood from clotting. It's thought that juveniles have this extra chemical to help catch their prey.

(Image: A black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) by Michael Price)

Thank you to anon for your donation to Janna's gofund me!

[reanimateobjects]

[paleozoey]