Horned pit viper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Horned pit viper
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Protobothrops
Species:	cornutus
Synonyms
Trimeresurus cornutus M. A. Smith, 1930 Ceratrimeresurus shenlii Liang & Liu, 2003 Protobothrops cornutus – Herrmann et al., 2004

Protobothrops cornutus, commonly known as the horned pit viper or Fan-Si-Pan horned pitviper, is a venomous pit viper species found in northern and central Vietnam and in southern China (Guangdong). No subspecies are currently recognized.

Geographic range

The type locality given is "Fan-si-pan mountains, Tonkin, Indo-China" (=Mount Fansipan). It is currently known from several provinces in Vietnam (Lao Cai Province, Ha Giang Province, Quang Binh Province, Thua Thien-Hue Province, Lang Son Province). The only Chinese record is from Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County in northern Guangdong and was originally described as a new species, Ceratrimeresurus shenlii.

Habitat

It occurs in evergreen forest on both karst and granitic outcrops at elevations of 250–2,000 m (820–6,560 ft) above sea level.

Close-up of head, showing "horns" to which the specific name, cornutus, refers.

Taxonomy

Herrmann et al. (2004) moved this species to the genus Protobothrops based on external and hemipenal morphology, as well as molecular data.