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Viperidae

Jerdon's Pitviper

Venomous

Protobothrops jerdonii

Jerdon's Pitviper
Protobothrops jerdonii, © Jigu
Jerdon's PitviperJerdon's PitviperJerdon's PitviperJerdon's PitviperJerdon's Pitviper

6 photographs of the Jerdon's Pitviper. © Jigu.

The Jerdon's Pitviper (Protobothrops jerdonii) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 7 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 Jerdon's Pitviper

Protobothrops jerdonii, also known commonly as Jerdon's pit viper, the yellow-speckled pit viper, and the oriental pit viper, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to India, Nepal, Myanmar, China, and Vietnam. Three subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Etymology

The specific name, jerdonii, is in honor of British herpetologist Thomas C. Jerdon, who collected the type series.

The subspecific name, bourreti, is in honour of French herpetologist René Léon Bourret.

Description

Males of P. jerdonii grow to a maximum total length of 835 mm (32.9 in), which includes a tail length of 140 mm (5.5 in); females grow to 990 mm (39 in), with a tail length of 160 mm (6.3 in).

Scalation: dorsal scales in 21 longitudinal rows at midbody (rarely 23); snout length a little more than twice diameter of eye; head above, except for large internasals and supraoculars, covered by small, unequal, smooth scales that are feebly imbricate or juxtaposed; first labial completely separated from nasal scales by a suture; internasals separated by 1–2 small scales; 6–9 small scales in line between supraoculars; 7–8 upper labials, third and fourth beneath eye, in contact with subocular or separated by at most a single series of small scales; ventrals: males 164–188, females 167–193; subcaudals: males 50–78, females 44–76.

Geographic range

P. jerdonii is found in northeastern India, Nepal, through northern Burma to southwestern China and Vietnam. The type locality given by Günther is "Khassya" (=Khasi Hills, India).

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of P. jerdonii are forest, shrubland, and grassland, at altitudes of 1,400–2,300 m (4,600–7,500 ft).

Diet

Adults of P. jerdonii prey predominately upon rats, while juveniles prey upon frogs of the families Ranidae and Rhacophoridae.

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of P. jerdonii has been referred to as viviparous and as ovoviviparous. Litter size is five to eight newborns.

Subspecies

Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Protobothrops.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Jerdon's Pitviper

Is the Jerdon's Pitviper venomous?
Yes. The Jerdon's Pitviper (Protobothrops jerdonii) 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 Jerdon's Pitviper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Jerdon's Pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Jerdon'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 Jerdon's Pitviper live?
The Jerdon's Pitviper has verified records in 7 countries, including China, Viet Nam, Myanmar. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Jerdon's Pitviper eat?
Adults of P. jerdonii prey predominately upon rats, while juveniles prey upon frogs of the families Ranidae and Rhacophoridae.
Why is it called the Jerdon's Pitviper?
The specific name, jerdonii, is in honor of British herpetologist Thomas C. Jerdon, who collected the type series. The subspecific name, bourreti, is in honour of French herpetologist René Léon Bourret.

If you are bitten by the Jerdon'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

ChinaViet NamMyanmarIndiaBhutanCameroonNepal

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
Protobothrops
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Protobothrops jerdonii

Keep learning

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