Is the Alashan pitviper venomous?

Yes. The Alashan pitviper (Gloydius cognatus) is venomous and belongs to the Viperidae family (viper). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the Alashan pitviper poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Alashan pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Alashan pitviper live?

The Alashan pitviper has verified records in 3 countries, including China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Alashan pitviper

Venomous

Gloydius cognatus

Alashan pitviper — Gloydius cognatus, © zhangshen

4 photographs of the Alashan pitviper. © zhangshen.

The Alashan pitviper (Gloydius cognatus) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 3 countries.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family: Viperidae
Danger: high

About the Alashan pitviper

Gloydius cognatus, or the Alashan pitviper, is a species of Asian moccasin from North West China and Mongolia. As with all pit vipers it is venomous, and it is considered the most toxic species of Gloydius in China.

Description

Considered a small viper, growing to 59 cm, the Alashan pitviper is distinguished from similar species by its specific scale counts as well as its banded pattern including 29-43 dark bands.

Habitat

The Alashan pitviper has been known to in habit desert or desertification grassland at elevations above 1300 m to above 3000 m, preferring temperate, rock/gravel areas with low rainfall.

Reproduction

Gloydius cognatus is known to be viviparous.

Taxonomy

Glydius cognatus has previously been considered a subspecies of G. halys, and a synonym of G. brevicaudus and either G. strauchi or G. intermedius. It is now elevated to its own separate species, and is theorised to have split from G. halys and G. intermedius during the pleistocene.

While multiple distinct clades of G. cognatus have been recognised as of 2023, no subspecies are currently recognised.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Alashan pitviper

Is the Alashan pitviper venomous?: Yes. The Alashan pitviper (Gloydius cognatus) is venomous and belongs to the Viperidae family (viper). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Alashan pitviper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Alashan pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Alashan pitviper dangerous?: This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the Alashan pitviper live?: The Alashan pitviper has verified records in 3 countries, including China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Alashan pitviper

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

China Kazakhstan Mongolia

More Viperidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Viperidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Gloydius
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Gloydius cognatus

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.