Is the Tibetan Pit Viper venomous?

Yes. The Tibetan Pit Viper (Trimeresurus tibetanus) 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 Tibetan Pit Viper poisonous?

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

Where does the Tibetan Pit Viper live?

The Tibetan Pit Viper has verified records in 2 countries, including China, Nepal. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Tibetan Pit Viper

Venomous

Trimeresurus tibetanus

2 photographs of the Tibetan Pit Viper. (c) Alex, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Tibetan Pit Viper (Trimeresurus tibetanus) 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 Tibetan Pit Viper

Trimeresurus tibetanus, also commonly known as the Tibetan bamboo pit viper and the Tibetan pit viper, is a species of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is found only in Tibet. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Tibetan Pit Viper

Is the Tibetan Pit Viper venomous?: Yes. The Tibetan Pit Viper (Trimeresurus tibetanus) 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 Tibetan Pit Viper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tibetan Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Tibetan 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 Tibetan Pit Viper live?: The Tibetan Pit Viper has verified records in 2 countries, including China, Nepal. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Tibetan 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

China Nepal

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 tibetanus

Keep learning

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