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Viperidae

Andaman Pitviper

Venomous

Trimeresurus andersonii

Andaman Pitviper
Trimeresurus andersonii, © Prathamesh Khedwan
Andaman Pitviper

2 photographs of the Andaman Pitviper. © Prathamesh Khedwan.

The Andaman Pitviper (Trimeresurus andersonii) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 2 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 Andaman Pitviper

Trimeresurus andersonii is a venomous pitviper species endemic to the Andaman Islands of India.

Common names include: Nicobar mangrove pit viper, Anderson's pitviper, and Andaman pit viper.

Etymology

The specific name, andersonii, is in honor of Scottish zoologist John Anderson, who worked in India 1864-1886 and was the first curator of the Indian Museum in Calcutta (now called Kolkata).

Geographic range

T. andersonii is found only in the Andaman Islands of India. The type locality given by Theobald (1868) is "No record", which was restricted to "Andaman Islands" by Regenass and Kramer (1981).

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Andaman Pitviper

Is the Andaman Pitviper venomous?
Yes. The Andaman Pitviper (Trimeresurus andersonii) 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 Andaman Pitviper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Andaman Pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Andaman 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 Andaman Pitviper live?
The Andaman Pitviper has verified records in 2 countries, including India, Myanmar. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Andaman Pitviper?
The specific name, andersonii, is in honor of Scottish zoologist John Anderson, who worked in India 1864-1886 and was the first curator of the Indian Museum in Calcutta (now called Kolkata).

If you are bitten by the Andaman 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.

Do

  • 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

IndiaMyanmar

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
Trimeresurus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Trimeresurus andersonii

Keep learning

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