Horned pit viper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Horned pit viper
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Genus:	Protobothrops
Species:	P. cornutus
Binomial name
Protobothrops cornutus (M. A. Smith, 1930)
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Synonyms
Trimeresurus cornutus M. A. Smith, 1930 Ceratrimeresurus shenlii Liang & Liu, 2003 Protobothrops cornutus – Herrmann et al., 2004

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The Protobothrops cornutus, also known as the horned pit viper or Fan-Si-Pan horned pitviper, is a type of venomous pit viper. It gets its name from the small, horn-like scales above its eyes. This snake lives in northern and central Vietnam and in southern China. No different types (subspecies) of this snake are known at this time.

Meet the Horned Pit Viper!

This snake is called cornutus in its scientific name because of its unique "horns." These are not true horns like on a bull, but rather special scales above its eyes that stick up. They give the snake a very distinct look!

Close-up of the horned pit viper's head, showing the "horns" that give it its name.

Where Does It Live?

The horned pit viper is found in parts of Asia. It lives in several areas of Vietnam, including provinces like Lao Cai Province, Ha Giang Province, and Quang Binh Province. It was first discovered in the Fan-Si-Pan mountains in Vietnam. This snake is also found in southern China, specifically in Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County in Guangdong.

Its Home and Habitat

This pit viper makes its home in evergreen forests. These forests can be found on different types of rocky areas, like karst (limestone) and granite outcrops. You can find these snakes living at different heights, from about 250 meters (820 feet) to 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level.