Is the Gloydius qinlingensis venomous?

Yes. The Gloydius qinlingensis 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 Gloydius qinlingensis poisonous?

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

Viperidae

Gloydius qinlingensis

Venomous

This species has no widely used English common name.

Gloydius qinlingensis, (c) Zhaoqi Leng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

4 photographs of the Gloydius qinlingensis. (c) Zhaoqi Leng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

Gloydius qinlingensis is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family.

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 Gloydius qinlingensis

Gloydius qinlingenis is a species of Asian moccasin from Shaanxi, China, named after Mt. Qin Ling where it was originally found. As with all pit vipers, it is venomous. The taxonomic status of this species is controversial, with some reports suggesting it should be recognised as a valid species and others suggesting it is a synonym of G. strauchi, which it was previously considered a subspecies of. Currently, G. qinlingensis is considered a full species due to its genetic distance from the other members of Gloydius.

Description

Gloydius qinlingensis can be distinguished by a few features including its specific scale counts as well as its oval or triangular head and light red/yellow -brown colouring with its dark brown irregular markings.

Reproduction

Gloydius qinlingensis is known to be ovoviviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Gloydius qinlingensis

Is the Gloydius qinlingensis venomous?: Yes. The Gloydius qinlingensis 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 Gloydius qinlingensis poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Gloydius qinlingensis is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Gloydius qinlingensis 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.

If you are bitten by the Gloydius qinlingensis

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.

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 qinlingensis

Keep learning

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