Brown-spotted pit viper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brown-spotted pit viper
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Protobothrops
Species:	mucrosquamatus
Synonyms
Trigonocephalus mucrosquamatus Cantor, 1839 Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus – Günther, 1864 Crotalus Trimeres[urus]. mucrosquamatus – Higgins, 1873 Lachesis mucrosquamatus – Boulenger, 1896 Trimersurus [sic] mucrosquamatus – Taub, 1964 (ex errore) P[rotobothrops]. mucrosquamatus – Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1983 Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus – Zhao & Adler, 1993 Protobothrops mucrosquamatus – David et al., 2011

The brown-spotted pit viper (scientific name: Protobothrops mucrosquamatus) is a type of venomous snake. It is a pit viper species found only in Asia. This snake is also known by other names like the Taiwanese habu or pointed-scaled pit viper. There are no different types (subspecies) of this snake known today. The first time this snake was officially described was in 1839 by a scientist named Theodore Cantor.

What Does It Look Like?

The brown-spotted pit viper has a unique color pattern.

Brown-spotted pit vipers can grow to be quite long. Male snakes can reach a total length of about 112 centimeters (44 inches). Their tails can be around 19.5 centimeters (7.7 inches) long.

Female snakes are a bit longer. They can grow up to 116 centimeters (46 inches) in total length. Their tails can be about 20.5 centimeters (8.1 inches) long.

These snakes usually have a grayish or olive-brown color on their backs. They have large, brown spots with black edges along their bodies. You might also see smaller spots along their sides. Their heads are brownish on top and whitish underneath. The belly is usually whitish but can have light brown specks. The tail is brownish and sometimes looks pink.

Other Names for This Snake

The brown-spotted pit viper has many common names. Some of these include:

• Brown spotted pitviper
• Pointed-scaled pit viper
• Habu
• Taiwan habu|タイワンハブ
• Chinese habu
• Formosan pit viper

In Chinese, it is called 龜殼花蛇 or 原矛头蝮.

Where Do They Live?

The brown-spotted pit viper lives in many parts of Asia. You can find them in:

• Northeastern India (in areas like Assam and Mizoram)
• Bangladesh
• Myanmar
• China (including Hainan island, and as far north as Gansu and east as Zhejiang)
• Laos
• Northern and central Vietnam
• Northern Thailand
• Taiwan

This snake was first discovered in the Naga Hills in India. It has also been brought to Okinawa, Japan.

Learn More

• Snakebite