Is the Trungkhanh Pitviper venomous?

Yes. The Trungkhanh Pitviper (Protobothrops trungkhanhensis) 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 Trungkhanh Pitviper poisonous?

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

Where does the Trungkhanh Pitviper live?

The Trungkhanh Pitviper has verified records in 2 countries, including Viet Nam, China. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Trungkhanh Pitviper

Venomous

Protobothrops trungkhanhensis

Trungkhanh Pitviper — Protobothrops trungkhanhensis, (c) Mạnh Hùng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

3 photographs of the Trungkhanh Pitviper. (c) Mạnh Hùng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Trungkhanh Pitviper (Protobothrops trungkhanhensis) 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 Trungkhanh Pitviper

The Trungkhanh Pitviper belongs to the Viperidae family, vipers & pit vipers. Heavy-bodied venomous snakes with long, hinged, hollow fangs.

Vipers are ambush predators with the most sophisticated venom-delivery system of any snake: long fangs that fold back against the roof of the mouth and swing forward to stab. The family splits into true vipers (adders, Gaboon viper, Russell's viper, saw-scaled vipers) and pit vipers (rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, lanceheads, bushmasters), which have a heat-sensing pit between the eye and nostril.

Its genus, Protobothrops, covers Asian lance-headed pitvipers (habus). Protobothrops is a genus of medium to large Asian pitvipers whose members include the medically important habu.

The Trungkhanh Pitviper is venomous. Treat any bite as a medical emergency, do not try to handle or capture the snake, and get professional medical care right away.

It has been recorded in Viet Nam and China.

Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.

Frequently asked: Trungkhanh Pitviper

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

If you are bitten by the Trungkhanh 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

Viet Nam China

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 trungkhanhensis

Keep learning

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