Viperidae
Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper
VenomousOvophis convictus
4 photographs of the Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper. © desertnaturalist.
The Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper (Ovophis convictus) 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 Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper
Ovophis convictus, the Indo-Malayan mountain pit viper, is a species of venomous snake in the genus Ovophis found in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Etymology
The specific name, convictus, is derived from Latin, meaning "convicted" or "bound together", possibly referring to the distinct patterning on the snake's body.
Description
The average length of mature individuals is about 50-100 cm (approximately 20-39 inches). The body pattern consists of a brown, yellowish, or gray-brown background, overlaid with one or two dorsal series of large, squarish, dark-brown blotches. The top of the head is blackish-brown, with a brown stripe behind the eye, and the chin and throat are light mottled with brown.
Geographical range
The Indo-Malayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis convictus) is found in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This species inhabits a variety of environments, including mountainous regions, forests, and areas with dense vegetation
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper
- Is the Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper venomous?
- Yes. The Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper (Ovophis convictus) 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 Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Indo-Malayan mountain 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 Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper live?
- The Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper has verified records in 3 countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper?
- The specific name, convictus, is derived from Latin, meaning "convicted" or "bound together", possibly referring to the distinct patterning on the snake's body.
If you are bitten by the Indo-Malayan mountain pitviper
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
Okinawa PitviperOvophis okinavensis
Taiwan mountain pitviperOvophis makazayazaya
Tonkin Pit ViperOvophis tonkinensis
Chinese Mountain Pit ViperOvophis monticola
Zayuan Mountain PitviperOvophis zayuensis
Pingbian Mountain PitviperOvophis anitae
Guanyinshan Mountain PitviperOvophis zhaoermii
Jenkins’ mountain pitviperOvophis jenkinsi
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
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.