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Viperidae

Philippine Pit Viper

Venomous

Trimeresurus flavomaculatus

Philippine Pit Viper
Trimeresurus flavomaculatus, © Paolo Co
Philippine Pit ViperPhilippine Pit ViperPhilippine Pit ViperPhilippine Pit Viper

5 photographs of the Philippine Pit Viper. © Paolo Co.

The Philippine Pit Viper (Trimeresurus flavomaculatus) 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 Philippine Pit Viper

Trimeresurus flavomaculatus also known as the Philippine pit viper is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the Philippines. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Description

According to Leviton (1964), the scalation includes 21 rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 170–178/175–184 ventral scales in males/females, 62–71/58–63 subcaudal scales in males/females, and 9–11 supralabial scales of which the 3rd is the largest. Toriba and Sawai (1990) give 167–179/172–184 ventral scales in males/females, 56–70/53–63 subcaudal scales in males/females, and 9–10/9–12 supralabial scales in males/females.

Geographic range

Found on the Philippine islands of Agutayan, Batan, Camiguin, Catanduanes, Dinagat, Jolo, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros, Panay and Polillo. The type locality given is "Philippine Islands". Leviton (1964) proposed that this be restricted to "Luzon Island".

Subspecies

Taxonomy

Gumprecht (2001, 2002) relegates T. f. halieus to synonymy and elevates T. f. mcgregori to a full species.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Philippine Pit Viper

Is the Philippine Pit Viper venomous?
Yes. The Philippine Pit Viper (Trimeresurus flavomaculatus) 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 Philippine Pit Viper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Philippine Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Philippine 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 Philippine Pit Viper live?
The Philippine Pit Viper has verified records in 1 country, including Philippines. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Philippine 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

Philippines

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 flavomaculatus

Keep learning

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