Is the Tokara Habu venomous?

Yes. The Tokara Habu (Protobothrops tokarensis) 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 Tokara Habu poisonous?

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

Where does the Tokara Habu live?

The Tokara Habu has verified records in 1 country, including Japan. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Tokara Habu

Venomous

Protobothrops tokarensis

Tokara Habu — Protobothrops tokarensis, (c) taisha568, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

3 photographs of the Tokara Habu. (c) taisha568, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Tokara Habu (Protobothrops tokarensis) 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 Tokara Habu

The Tokara habu (Protobothrops tokarensis) is a pit viper species endemic to the Tokara Islands of Japan. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Description

Scalation includes 31 (31-33) rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 199-210 ventral scales, 72-84 subcaudal scales, and 8 (7-9) supralabial scales.

Geographic range

Found in Japan on the islands of Takara-jima and Kotakara-jima. According to Golay et al. (1993), the type locality is "Takara-jima, province of Kagoshima, Ryukyu Islands".

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Tokara Habu

Is the Tokara Habu venomous?: Yes. The Tokara Habu (Protobothrops tokarensis) 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 Tokara Habu poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tokara Habu is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Tokara Habu 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 Tokara Habu live?: The Tokara Habu has verified records in 1 country, including Japan. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Tokara Habu

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

Japan

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 tokarensis

Keep learning

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