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Viperidae

Schultze's Pit Viper

Venomous

Trimeresurus schultzei

Schultze's Pit Viper
Trimeresurus schultzei, Amirnahhas95 / Wikimedia Commons

The Schultze's Pit Viper (Trimeresurus schultzei) 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 Schultze's Pit Viper

Trimeresurus schultzei, commonly known as the Schultze's pitviper, is a venomous pitviper species endemic to the Philippines. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Etymology

The specific name, schultzei, is in honor of "Mr. W. Schultze" who collected the type specimen.

Description

Scalation includes 21 rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 185-194/192-203 ventral scales in males/females, 67-78/66-75 subcaudal scales in males/females, and 9-11 supralabial scales.

Geographic range

Found in the Philippines on the islands on Palawan and Balabac. The type locality given is "Iwahig, Palawn" (Palawan Island, Philippines).

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Schultze's Pit Viper

Is the Schultze's Pit Viper venomous?
Yes. The Schultze's Pit Viper (Trimeresurus schultzei) 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 Schultze's Pit Viper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Schultze's Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Schultze'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 Schultze's Pit Viper live?
The Schultze's Pit Viper has verified records in 1 country, including Philippines. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Schultze's Pit Viper?
The specific name, schultzei, is in honor of "Mr. W. Schultze" who collected the type specimen.

If you are bitten by the Schultze'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

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 schultzei

Keep learning

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