Is the Three horned-scaled pitviper venomous?

Yes. The Three horned-scaled pitviper (Protobothrops sieversorum) 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 Three horned-scaled pitviper poisonous?

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

Where does the Three horned-scaled pitviper live?

The Three horned-scaled pitviper has verified records in 2 countries, including Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Viet Nam. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Three horned-scaled pitviper

Venomous

Protobothrops sieversorum

The Three horned-scaled pitviper (Protobothrops sieversorum) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 2 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 Three horned-scaled pitviper

Protobothrops sieversorum, commonly known as the three horned-scaled pit viper or the three-horn-scaled pit viper, is a species of pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Vietnam and Laos.

Taxonomy

Protobothrops sieversorum was originally placed in the monotypic genus Triceratolepidophis. Guo et al. (2007) synonymised this genus with the genus Protobothrops, based on evidence that it is phylogenetically nested within the existing species of that genus.

Etymology

The specific name, sieversorum (masculine, genitive, plural), is in honor of the Sievers family, father Dr. J.-H. Sievers and sons Julian Sievers and Moritz Sievers, for their support of nature conservation and zoological research.

Geographic range

P. sieversorum is indigenous to the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam where it has been found in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and the Hin Namno National Biodiversity Conservation Area.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of P. sieversorum is forest, at altitudes of 200–600 m (660–1,970 ft).

Reproduction

P. sieversorum is oviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Three horned-scaled pitviper

Is the Three horned-scaled pitviper venomous?: Yes. The Three horned-scaled pitviper (Protobothrops sieversorum) 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 Three horned-scaled pitviper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Three horned-scaled pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Three horned-scaled 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 Three horned-scaled pitviper live?: The Three horned-scaled pitviper has verified records in 2 countries, including Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Viet Nam. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Three horned-scaled pitviper?: The specific name, sieversorum (masculine, genitive, plural), is in honor of the Sievers family, father Dr. J.-H. Sievers and sons Julian Sievers and Moritz Sievers, for their support of nature conservation and zoological research.

If you are bitten by the Three horned-scaled 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

Lao People’s Democratic Republic Viet Nam

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 sieversorum

Keep learning

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