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Viperidae

Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper

Venomous

Protobothrops kaulbacki

Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper
Protobothrops kaulbacki, (c) corote, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Kaulback's Lance-headed PitviperKaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper

3 photographs of the Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper. (c) corote, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper (Protobothrops kaulbacki) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 4 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 Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper

Protobothrops kaulbacki, commonly known as Kaulback's lance-headed pit viper or Kaulback's lance-headed pit viper, is a pit viper species endemic to Asia. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

Etymology

The specific name, kaulbacki, is in honor of British explorer Ronald Kaulback.

Description

Adult males of P. kaulbacki may attain a total length of 134 cm (53 in), which includes a tail 22.5 cm (8.9 in) long. Females may grow longer: maximum total length 141 cm (56 in), tail 23 cm (9.1 in). Dorsally, it is green, with a vertebral series of dark angular spots, which may be joined to form a zigzag stripe. The top of the head is black with yellow stripes. Ventrally, except for the whitish throat area, it is gray with large squarish or crescent-shaped yellow spots. Scalation includes 25 rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 201–212 ventral scales, 66–78 subcaudal scales, and 8 supralabial scales of which the third is the largest.

Geographic range

P. kaulbacki had originally been known only from the type locality, which is "Pangnamdim, north of the Triangle, Upper Burma" (Myanmar). In 2005 it was reported also from Tibet (China). It also occurs in Arunachal Pradesh (NE India).

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of P. kaulbacki are forest, shrubland, and grassland, at altitudes of 1,015–1,066 m (3,330–3,497 ft).

Reproduction

P. kaulbacki is oviparous. The adult female lays a clutch of 6–32 eggs in a hole in the ground, and then remains with the eggs to guard them. Eggs measure 48–53 mm x 26–27 mm (about 2 in x 1 in). Each hatchling is 26–27 cm (about 10½ inches) in total length.

Behavior

P. kaulbacki is terrestrial and partly arboreal.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper

Is the Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper venomous?
Yes. The Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper (Protobothrops kaulbacki) 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 Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Kaulback's Lance-headed 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 Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper live?
The Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper has verified records in 4 countries, including Myanmar, China, India. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Kaulback's Lance-headed Pitviper?
The specific name, kaulbacki, is in honor of British explorer Ronald Kaulback.

If you are bitten by the Kaulback's Lance-headed 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

MyanmarChinaIndiaBhutan

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 kaulbacki

Keep learning

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