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Viperidae

Maya's pit viper

Venomous

Trimeresurus mayaae

Maya's pit viper
Trimeresurus mayaae, (c) Karishma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Karishma

The Maya's pit viper (Trimeresurus mayaae) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 1 country.

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 Maya's pit viper

Trimeresurus mayaae also commonly known as Maya's pit viper is a species of venomous pit viper endemic to north-eastern India.

Description

Males have a deep green dorsum, and fluorescent green ventrum with black interstitial skin. The head is dark green with cyan borders on scales, eyes are rust colored and red-white stripes on the body. Female individuals are similar but with yellowish-green ventrum and green eyes. Both sexes exhibit rusty red tails.

Range

Trimeresurus mayaae occurs throughout the Shillong Plateau and the adjoining Jaintia hills, Barail and Mizo hills. It has also been found in Manipur.

Habitat and ecology

Specimens were found during early hours of night in a forested patch next to a stream within Military Cantonment area. An individual was spotted on the ground, crossing a track. In captivity, the specimens fed on the Rhacophorus bipunctatus, Leptobrachium sp. and Minervarya sp.

All known records of the species are from elevations greater tha 900m and hence, the low land areas may potentially act as a biogeographic barrier for the new species. The distributed areas are isolated from other members of Viridovipera (Subgenus of Trimeresurus), by low elevation human dominated landscape, The Brahmaputra River to its north and the Indo-Burma hills along the international borders of the two countries (India and Myanmar).

Etymology

The specific epithet mayaae is derived from the name of one of the species discoverer's late mother, Maya Singh Rathee.

Taxonomy

Trimeresurus mayaae is likely a member of the subgenus Viridovipera as suggested by molecular data. Molecular data also suggests that the species is sister to T. medoensis.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Maya's pit viper

Is the Maya's pit viper venomous?
Yes. The Maya's pit viper (Trimeresurus mayaae) 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 Maya's pit viper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Maya's pit viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Maya's pit viper 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 Maya's pit viper live?
The Maya's pit viper has verified records in 1 country, including India. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Maya's pit viper?
The specific epithet mayaae is derived from the name of one of the species discoverer's late mother, Maya Singh Rathee.

If you are bitten by the Maya's pit viper

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

India

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 mayaae

Keep learning

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