Is the Taiwan mountain pitviper venomous?

Yes. The Taiwan mountain pitviper (Ovophis makazayazaya) 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 Taiwan mountain pitviper poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Taiwan mountain pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Taiwan mountain pitviper live?

The Taiwan mountain pitviper has verified records in 3 countries, including Chinese Taipei, China, Myanmar. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Taiwan mountain pitviper

Venomous

Ovophis makazayazaya

Taiwan mountain pitviper — Ovophis makazayazaya, © jimmy

3 photographs of the Taiwan mountain pitviper. © jimmy.

The Taiwan mountain pitviper (Ovophis makazayazaya) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 3 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 Taiwan mountain pitviper

The Taiwan mountain pit viper (Ovophis makazayazaya; Chinese: 台湾烙铁头蛇), also known as the Eastern mountain pit viper or Oriental mountain pit viper, is a venomous snake native to southeast China, northern Vietnam, Laos, and Taiwan. It was previously considered a subspecies of Ovophis monticola, but was suggested as a full species in 2011.

Description

Ovophis makazayazaya ranges in total length from 49 to 110 cm (19.3 to 43.3 in). Like many other snake species, females are larger than males. Its ventral scales range in count from 131 to 155. The species is diagnosed based on the larger fourth supralabial scale, in comparison to the third, and having paired caudal scales.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Taiwan mountain pitviper

Is the Taiwan mountain pitviper venomous?: Yes. The Taiwan mountain pitviper (Ovophis makazayazaya) 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 Taiwan mountain pitviper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Taiwan mountain pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Taiwan mountain 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 Taiwan mountain pitviper live?: The Taiwan mountain pitviper has verified records in 3 countries, including Chinese Taipei, China, Myanmar. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Taiwan mountain 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.

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

Chinese Taipei China Myanmar

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: Ovophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Ovophis makazayazaya

Keep learning

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