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Viperidae

Hagen’s Pitviper

Venomous

Trimeresurus hageni

Hagen’s Pitviper
Trimeresurus hageni, © Jay Paroline
Hagen’s PitviperHagen’s PitviperHagen’s PitviperHagen’s PitviperHagen’s Pitviper

6 photographs of the Hagen’s Pitviper. © Jay Paroline.

The Hagen’s Pitviper (Trimeresurus hageni) 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 Hagen’s Pitviper

Trimeresurus hageni, commonly known as Hagen's pit viper and Hagen's green pit viper, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to Southeast Asia. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

Etymology

The specific name, hageni, is in honor of German naturalist Dr. Bernhard Hagen, who collected mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects in the eastern part of Sumatra.

Description

Scalation of T. hageni includes 21 rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 176–198 ventral scales, 63–89 subcaudal scales, and 9–12 supralabial scales. The lectotype has a total length (including tail) of 97 cm (38 in).

Geographic range

T. hageni is found in Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, East Malaysia (Borneo), and Indonesia (Sumatra and the nearby islands of Bangka, Simalur, Nias, Batu, and the Mentawai Islands).

The type locality given is "Sumatra ... [and] island of Banka". Brongersma (1933) emended this to "Deli, Sumatra".

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of T. hageni is forest, at altitudes of 100–300 m (330–980 ft).

Behavior

T. hageni is arboreal and nocturnal.

Diet

T. hageni preys upon amphibians and lizards.

Reproduction

T. hageni is oviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Hagen’s Pitviper

Is the Hagen’s Pitviper venomous?
Yes. The Hagen’s Pitviper (Trimeresurus hageni) 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 Hagen’s Pitviper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hagen’s Pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Hagen’s 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 Hagen’s Pitviper live?
The Hagen’s Pitviper has verified records in 5 countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Hagen’s Pitviper eat?
T. hageni preys upon amphibians and lizards.
Why is it called the Hagen’s Pitviper?
The specific name, hageni, is in honor of German naturalist Dr. Bernhard Hagen, who collected mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects in the eastern part of Sumatra.

If you are bitten by the Hagen’s 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

ThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaSingaporeLao People’s Democratic Republic

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 hageni

Keep learning

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