#vipers

[sayxit]

twins

[snototter]

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

by Jean-Jacques Strydom

[antiqueanimals]

Natural History in Zoological Gardens, by Frank E. Beddard. Illustration by Winifred Austen. 1905.

Internet Archive

[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

[astastories]

All Hail Chaos, two beautiful sociopaths 🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍

[lazchance]

hello followers... heres another snake

wagler's pit viper (Tropidolaemus wagleri) with its beautiful unidirectional scales... this one is an adult female due to the colours of its scales

these vipers are nocturnal so i had to go deep into the forest at night to find her... theyre also known for being one of the chillest vipers, and are incredibly hesitant to attack humans even when they feel threatened

[illustratus]

The Head of Medusa by Peter Paul Rubens and Frans Synders

[fatmagic]

[stearleart]

white-lipped pit viper ink drawing

Continuation of some snake doodles with this sketch of a white-lipped pit viper!

[lilyofthevalleyys]

Evan: I think you should apologise

Regulus: I think you should die but we don’t always get what we want bitch

Barty: Don’t kill him Reg. I rather like him

Regulus: And I think you should die too but you know, murder is illegal, blah blah blah

Evan:

Barty:

Regulus:

Regulus: Still won’t stop me though

[spinus-pinus]

Side-striped Palm Pit Viper Bothriechis lateralis

7/25/2023 Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

[gijoe-forever]

“I hear you’re the Joe that likes loud gunfire. I’ve got something for you to hear.”

[snototter]

A northern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) in Arkansas, USA

by Alan

[antiqueanimals]

Asp (Vipera aspis)

Reptiles and Amphibians of the World. Written by Hans Hvass. Illustrated by Wilhelm Eigener. Originally published in 1958.

Internet Archive

[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!