Azemiopinae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fea's viper |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Subphylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Family: | |
| Subfamily: |
Azemiopinae
Liem, Marx & Rabb, 1971
|
| Genus: |
Azemiops
Boulenger, 1888
|
| Species: |
A. feae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Azemiops feae Boulenger, 1888
|
|
The Fea's viper, also known by its scientific name Azemiops feae, is a special type of venomous snake. It is the only snake in its group, called the Azemiopinae subfamily. This unique snake lives in the mountains of Southeast Asia.
Contents
What Does the Fea's Viper Look Like?
Fea's vipers can grow to be about 77 centimeters long. That's almost as long as a meter stick! Their bodies are usually a bluish-gray or black color. They have bright orange bands that cross their bodies.
The head of a Fea's viper is orange. Its chin and throat are yellow. It also has striking yellow eyes.
Where Do Fea's Vipers Live?
You can find the Fea's viper in several countries in Asia. These include northern Vietnam, southern China, southeastern Myanmar, and southeastern Tibet.
In China, they live in many areas. These include Fujian, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Zhejiang.
Fea's Viper Habitat
Fea's vipers prefer to live in mountains. They are usually found at high places, around 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet) above sea level.
They like cool weather. The average temperature where they live is usually between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius (64 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). In Vietnam, they often live in bamboo forests.
How Do Fea's Vipers Behave?
Fea's vipers are mostly active at night. This means they are nocturnal. Some people think they are also active during twilight hours, which is called crepuscular.
During the cold winter months, these snakes will hibernate. This means they go into a deep sleep to save energy.
When a Fea's viper feels threatened, it has a special way to defend itself. It will flatten its body to look wider and bigger. It also opens its mouth wide to show its fangs. This makes its head look like a triangle. Sometimes, it will even vibrate its tail as a warning. Fea's vipers are known to eat small mammals.
See Also
In Spanish: Azemiops para niños
