Viperidae
Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper
VenomousProtobothrops cornutus
4 photographs of the Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper. © 灯管儿.
The Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper (Protobothrops cornutus) 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 Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper
Protobothrops cornutus, commonly known as the horned pit viper or Fan-Si-Pan horned pit viper, is a pit viper species found in northern and central Vietnam and in southern China (Guangdong). No subspecies are currently recognized.
Description
Its maximum length is usually around 60-90cm. It has a long body, with a flat oblong trangular head differentiated from the body, with small scales. Its nostril scale is also triangular.
It was found to exhibit the largest attack acceleration among snakes, about 18g.
Geographic range
The type locality given is "Fan-si-pan mountains, Tonkin, Indo-China" (=Mount Fansipan). It is currently known from several provinces in Vietnam (Lao Cai Province, Ha Giang Province, Quang Binh Province, Hue City, Lang Son Province). The only Chinese record is from Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County in northern Guangdong and was originally described as a new species, Ceratrimeresurus shenlii.
Habitat
It occurs in evergreen forest on both karst and granitic outcrops at elevations of 250–2,000 m (820–6,560 ft) above sea level.
Taxonomy
Herrmann et al. (2004) moved this species to the genus Protobothrops based on external and hemipenal morphology, as well as molecular data.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper
- Is the Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper venomous?
- Yes. The Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper (Protobothrops cornutus) 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 Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Fi-si-pan Horned 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 Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper live?
- The Fi-si-pan Horned Pit Viper has verified records in 3 countries, including China, Viet Nam, United States of America. See the distribution section below for its full range.
If you are bitten by the Fi-si-pan Horned 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
Brown spotted pitviperProtobothrops mucrosquamatus
HabuProtobothrops flavoviridis
Elegant pitviperProtobothrops elegans
Jerdon's PitviperProtobothrops jerdonii
Mao-lan pitviperProtobothrops maolanensis
Tokara HabuProtobothrops tokarensis
Mang Mountain PitviperProtobothrops mangshanensis
Three horned-scaled pitviperProtobothrops sieversorum
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
- Protobothrops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Protobothrops cornutus
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.