Is the Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper venomous?

Yes. The Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper (Protobothrops kelomohy) 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 Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper live?

The Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper has verified records in 1 country, including Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper

Venomous

Protobothrops kelomohy

Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper — Protobothrops kelomohy, (c) Rupert Grassby-Lewis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

3 photographs of the Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper. (c) Rupert Grassby-Lewis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper (Protobothrops kelomohy) 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 Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper

Protobothrops kelomohy, the Omkoi lance-headed pit viper, is a species of venomous snake in the genus Protobothrops found in Thailand.

Etymology

The specific name, kelomohy, is derived from the Karen language, meaning "snake of Omkoi", referring to the region in Thailand where this species was discovered.

Description

The Omkoi lance-headed pit viper is characterized by its relatively large body size, with males reaching up to 110 cm and females up to 132 cm in length. The body pattern consists of a brown or grayish background, overlaid with dark reddish-brown transverse blotches edged in black, which may fuse to form a median zigzag line on the dorsum. The head features a typical lance-pattern with three bold vertical facial stripes.

Geographical range

The Omkoi lance-headed pit viper is endemic to the Omkoi district in Chiang Mai province, Thailand. This species inhabits rocky and forested areas, often found on the ground but also capable of climbing rocky surfaces due to its long, slender body and keeled scales.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper

Is the Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper venomous?: Yes. The Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper (Protobothrops kelomohy) 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 Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Omkoi Lance-headed 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 Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper live?: The Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper has verified records in 1 country, including Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper?: The specific name, kelomohy, is derived from the Karen language, meaning "snake of Omkoi", referring to the region in Thailand where this species was discovered.

If you are bitten by the Omkoi Lance-headed 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.

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

Thailand

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 kelomohy

Keep learning

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