Trimeresurus jerdonii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trimeresurus jerdonii |
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Trimeresurus
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T. jerdonii
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| Trimeresurus jerdonii Günther, 1875
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The Trimeresurus jerdonii is a type of venomous pitviper. These snakes are found in several countries across Asia. They live in places like India, Burma, Tibet, China, and Vietnam.
Scientists currently recognize three different types, or subspecies, of this snake. Each subspecies might have slightly different features or live in specific areas.
Where Does This Snake Live?
The Trimeresurus jerdonii snake lives in a wide area. You can find them starting from Assam in India. Their home range then stretches through northern Burma and into Tibet. They also live in parts of China, including areas like Hupeh, Szechwan, and Yunnan. Finally, they are also found in Vietnam.
The first time this snake was officially described, it was found in the Khasi Hills in India. This place is known as its "type locality."
What Does It Look Like?
These snakes can grow to be quite long. Male Trimeresurus jerdonii snakes can reach a total length of about 83.5 centimeters (about 33 inches). Their tails can be up to 14 centimeters (about 5.5 inches) long.
Female snakes are generally a bit larger than males. They can grow up to 99 centimeters (about 39 inches) long. Their tails can be as long as 16 centimeters (about 6.3 inches).
Meet the Subspecies
There are three main types, or subspecies, of the Trimeresurus jerdonii snake. Each one has its own specific name and lives in different parts of Asia.
| Subspecies Name | Discovered By | Common Name | Where It Lives |
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| T. j. bourreti | Klemmer, 1963 | Bourret's Pitviper | Northwestern Vietnam, in provinces like Lao Cai and Lai Chau. It might also live in nearby China (Yunnan). |
| T. j. jerdonii | Günther, 1875 | Jerdon's Pitviper | Southwestern China (southern Xizang, western Sichuan, and Yunnan). Also found in northeastern India, Burma (Chin and Kachin states), and northeastern Nepal. |
| T. j. xanthomelas | Günther, 1889 | Red Spotted Pitviper | Central and southern China, in provinces such as Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Sichuan, Guizhou, Hubei, and Guangxi. |
Images for kids
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Jerdon's red spotted pit viper, P. j. xanthomelas, from West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
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Protobothrops jerdonii, an illustration by G.H. Ford from 1875. This drawing was part of Günther's first description of the snake.
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