Viperidae
Borneo Pit Viper
VenomousCraspedocephalus borneensis
6 photographs of the Borneo Pit Viper. © Lawrence Hylton.
The Borneo Pit Viper (Craspedocephalus borneensis) 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 Borneo Pit Viper
Craspedocephalus borneensis, commonly known as the Bornean pit viper, is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the island of Borneo. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Description
Scalation includes 19–21 rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 152–180 ventral scales, undivided anal scale, 45–58 divided subcaudal scales, and 8–11 supralabial scales.
Its coloration varies. Individuals may be brown with darker brown saddles, or light brown with a few darker markings, or even bright yellow with darker markings.
Adults may attain 83 cm (33 in) in snout-vent length (SVL).
Geographic range
Craspedocephalus borneensis is found on the island of Borneo (Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah, Sarawak) as well as in the Natuna Islands.
The type locality given is "Sarawack" (= Sarawak, Borneo).
Habitat
It is found in forests below an altitude of 1,130 m (3,710 ft). Even though the tail is prehensile, adults are usually on the forest floor. Juveniles may be in low vegetation.
Diet
Craspedocephalus borneensis preys upon small rodents and small birds.
Reproduction
Whether this species of Craspedocephalus lays eggs or bears live young is as yet unknown.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Borneo Pit Viper
- Is the Borneo Pit Viper venomous?
- Yes. The Borneo Pit Viper (Craspedocephalus borneensis) 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 Borneo Pit Viper poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Borneo Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Borneo Pit Viper 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 Borneo Pit Viper live?
- The Borneo Pit Viper has verified records in 3 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Borneo Pit Viper eat?
- Craspedocephalus borneensis preys upon small rodents and small birds.
If you are bitten by the Borneo Pit Viper
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
More Viperidae snakes
Malabarian Pit ViperCraspedocephalus malabaricus
Common Bamboo ViperCraspedocephalus gramineus
Sri Lankan Green Pit ViperCraspedocephalus trigonocephalus
Ruby-eyed Green PitviperTrimeresurus rubeus
Ashy Pit ViperCraspedocephalus puniceus
Anamala Pit ViperCraspedocephalus anamallensis
Large-scaled Pit ViperCraspedocephalus macrolepis
Travancore Pit ViperCraspedocephalus travancoricus
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
- Craspedocephalus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Craspedocephalus borneensis
Keep learning
- Are Snakes Dangerous? The Real Risk, in PerspectiveMost snakes are harmless and avoid people. Here is the honest picture of snakebite risk worldwide and how to lower your own.
- Snakebite First Aid: What to Do (and What Never to Do)A clear, CDC-based guide to snakebite first aid: the steps that help, the popular myths that hurt, and how to tell a serious bite from a minor one.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.