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Viperidae

Vogel’s Pit Viper

Venomous

Trimeresurus vogeli

Vogel’s Pit Viper
Trimeresurus vogeli, © Adrien Jailloux
Vogel’s Pit ViperVogel’s Pit ViperVogel’s Pit ViperVogel’s Pit ViperVogel’s Pit Viper

6 photographs of the Vogel’s Pit Viper. © Adrien Jailloux.

The Vogel’s Pit Viper (Trimeresurus vogeli) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family.

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 Vogel’s Pit Viper

Trimeresurus vogeli, commonly known as the Vogel's pit viper, is a venomous pitviper species native to Southeast Asia.

Etymology

The specific name, vogeli, is in honor of German herpetologist Gernot Vogel.

Geographic range

Trimeresurus vogeli is found in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of Trimeresurus vogeli are forest and savanna, at altitudes of 200–1,200 m (660–3,940 ft).

Description

Trimeresurus vogeli is large for its genus, and exhibits definite sexual dimorphism. Males may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 0.8 m (2.6 ft). Females are longer, and may exceed 1.1 m (3.6 ft) in SVL.

Reproduction

Trimeresurus vogeli is viviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Vogel’s Pit Viper

Is the Vogel’s Pit Viper venomous?
Yes. The Vogel’s Pit Viper (Trimeresurus vogeli) 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 Vogel’s Pit Viper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Vogel’s Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Vogel’s 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.
Why is it called the Vogel’s Pit Viper?
The specific name, vogeli, is in honor of German herpetologist Gernot Vogel.

If you are bitten by the Vogel’s 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.

Do

  • 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.

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 vogeli

Keep learning

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