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Viperidae

Gumprecht's Green Pitviper

Venomous

Trimeresurus gumprechti

Gumprecht's Green Pitviper
Trimeresurus gumprechti, © Noah Kirkland
Gumprecht's Green PitviperGumprecht's Green PitviperGumprecht's Green PitviperGumprecht's Green PitviperGumprecht's Green Pitviper

6 photographs of the Gumprecht's Green Pitviper. © Noah Kirkland.

The Gumprecht's Green Pitviper (Trimeresurus gumprechti) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 5 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 Gumprecht's Green Pitviper

Trimeresurus gumprechti, known commonly as Gumprecht's green pit viper, is a species of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Asia.

Geographic range

T. gumprechti is found in southern China (Yunnan), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of T. gumprechti is forest, at altitudes of 300–1,570 m (980–5,150 ft).

Taxonomy

T. gumprechti was described as a new species in 2002 by:

Dr. Patrick David of the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle,

Dr. Gernot Vogel of the Society for Southeast Asian Herpetology,

Dr. Olivier S. G. Pauwels of the Smithsonian Institution,

Dr. Nicolas Vidal of the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle.

Description

T. gumprechti is strikingly bright green in color. A photo of this arboreal snake was chosen as the cover image of a 2008 report published by the World Wildlife Fund called "First Contact in the Greater Mekong: New Species Discoveries." Adults may attain a total length (including tail) of 1.3 m (4.3 ft).

Behavior

T. gumprechti is arboreal.

Reproduction

T. gumprechti is viviparous.

Etymology

The specific name, gumprechti, is in honor of German herpetologist Andreas Gumprecht.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Gumprecht's Green Pitviper

Is the Gumprecht's Green Pitviper venomous?
Yes. The Gumprecht's Green Pitviper (Trimeresurus gumprechti) 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 Gumprecht's Green Pitviper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Gumprecht's Green Pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Gumprecht's Green 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 Gumprecht's Green Pitviper live?
The Gumprecht's Green Pitviper has verified records in 5 countries, including China, Thailand, Viet Nam. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Gumprecht's Green Pitviper?
The specific name, gumprechti, is in honor of German herpetologist Andreas Gumprecht.

If you are bitten by the Gumprecht's Green 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

ChinaThailandViet NamLao People’s Democratic RepublicMyanmar

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 gumprechti

Keep learning

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