Vipers (family Viperidae) are iconic front-fanged venomous snakes with foldable, elongated fangs and powerful strikes. Except for Australia, they occur across much of the world. This guide introduces 10 of the most widely known vipers, highlighting quick ID cues, distribution, and risk notes—ideal for general readers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Disclaimer: This article is for education only. If bitten by a suspected venomous snake, seek medical care immediately. Do not cut, suck, burn, or apply a tourniquet.
Bushmaster
Russell’s Viper
White-lipped Pit Viper (Green Pit Viper)
Sharp-nosed Pit Viper (“Hundred-pace Viper”)
Fea’s Viper (White-headed Viper)
Mangshan Pit Viper
Short-tailed Pit Viper (“Grass-runner”)
Chinese/Taiwan Habu
“White-browed” Pit Viper
Horned Vipers (Cerastes spp.)
Tags: very large, rainforest, pit viper
Range: Central and South America—especially the Amazon Basin and adjacent forests.
ID: Massive body (often 1.8–2+ m), lance-shaped head, heat-sensing pits, bold dorsal blotches.
Risk: Potent hemotoxic venom and large potential yield. Excellent leaf-litter camouflage; most encounters involve stationary, well-camouflaged snakes.
Tags: high medical importance in Asia
Range: South and parts of Southeast Asia.
ID: Stout body with large, rounded chain-like blotches along the back; triangular head.
Risk: Notorious for severe coagulopathy (clotting failure), swelling, and possible kidney injury. One of Asia’s most clinically significant venomous snakes.
Tags: striking green, common near human activity, nocturnal
Range: Southern China and much of Southeast Asia in bamboo thickets, shrubs, and near water.
ID: Bright green dorsum, pale yellowish belly; males often with red/orange tail tip; large triangular head with a narrow neck.
Risk: Primarily hemotoxic, typically causing pain and local swelling. Fatalities are uncommon, but bites are frequent due to proximity to people.
Tags: famed in folklore, montane/valley habitats
Range: Southern China, Taiwan, and nearby regions.
ID: Slightly upturned snout, gray-brown body with dark lateral patches; robust triangular head.
Risk: Hemotoxic venom; folklore names exaggerate lethality, but it remains a dangerous species requiring urgent care after any bite.
Tags: distinctive head color, cooler montane areas
Range: Mountainous regions of China and adjacent areas.
ID: Paler head contrasting with a purplish-brown body patterned with narrow reddish transverse bars (often with fine dark edging). Typical adult length 60–80 cm.
Risk: Envenomation can include neurotoxic-like symptoms (pain, swelling, dizziness). Encounters are relatively rare; caution is still essential.
Tags: China endemic, conservation-listed, large pit viper
Range: Restricted to the Mangshan region (Hunan/Guangdong, China).
ID: Black-brown base with intricate fine net-like markings; large “flat-iron”-shaped head; adults can approach ~2 m.
Risk: Considered highly venomous. A protected, endangered species—observe only from a distance and never disturb.
Tags: small but commonly encountered, frequent cause of bites
Range: Widely distributed across parts of China in grasslands, field margins, and open woodland edges.
ID: Short, stout body with a short tail; brown back with pale markings; grayish-white belly; often a heart/peach-shaped blotch behind the head.
Risk: Often implicated in rural/field bite incidents due to high encounter rates. Prompt medical evaluation is important.
Tags: strong climber, nocturnal ambusher
Range: Southern China, Taiwan, and nearby regions—hills, bamboo thickets, streamsides.
ID: Long triangular head, relatively slender body for a pit viper; flexible, grasping tail aids climbing; irregular brown blotches.
Risk: Arboreal or shrub-level ambush can surprise hikers at night. Use headlamps and watch both ground and eye-level vegetation.
Tags: plains–hill activity, alert temperament
Range: Open fields and hilly areas; more active in warm months.
ID: Often shows a pale eyebrow-like line over the eye (hence the Chinese common name); typical stout viper build with defensive coiling and audible exhalations when disturbed.
Risk: September–October often sees more bites (snake activity + agricultural work). Treat any suspected bite as an emergency.
Tags: desert camouflage, eye “horns,” sidewinding
Range: North Africa and parts of the Middle East, including the Sahara and the Negev.
ID: One or two horn-like scales above the eyes, sandy coloration, and characteristic sidewinding tracks on dunes.
Risk: Superb camouflage in sand; activity often peaks at night and dawn. Wear high, closed footwear and avoid placing hands where visibility is poor.
Do not handle wild snakes. Photograph only from a safe distance.
Clothing: long pants, high boots; at night use both headlamp and handheld light to scan ground and foliage.
If bitten:
Seek medical care immediately; keep the limb still and lowered relative to the heart if possible.
Remove rings/watches early; lightly immobilize with an elastic bandage/splint per medical guidance.
Do NOT cut, suck, burn, apply ice, or use a tourniquet.
Note time/symptoms; if safe, take a distant photo for ID to assist clinicians.
Treatment protocols vary by region; follow local medical guidance.
animal tags： Vipers
you may also like
Flies often become a common problem in many social settings. House flies and other fly insects occupy an important position in the suborder Brachyceratops of Diptera and have attracted people's attention due to their various adverse effects. These fly insects have various aliases such as flie...
Woodpeckers are a species of woodpeckers in the order Woodpeckers, and are powerful assistants to afforestation and forestry units in various countries. They are known for hunting pests that harm trees, such as beetles and termites. Therefore, woodpeckers are also nicknamed "tree doctors"....
In the animal kingdom, speed can mean the difference between life and death. Predators use speed to outpace and subdue their prey, while animals lacking other defenses rely on speed to avoid becoming dinner for their prey. Here are some of the fastest animals in the world....
Chameleons are a type of animal belonging to the Chamaeleonidae family of the order Lizardia, and their scientific name is Chamaeleon. As the master of camouflage in the animal world, chameleons are good at adjusting their body color at any time according to changes in the surrounding environment. T...
Penguins, the coldest birds on earth, are the oldest traveling birds and are known as the "ships of the ocean". There are 18 species of penguins in the world, most of which are distributed and live in the southern hemisphere. Characterized by being unable to fly; the largest species is the Em...
In traditional Chinese culture, some animals are considered ferocious beasts and are believed to bite and cause harm, and may also bring bad luck and disaster. Therefore, people usually avoid contact with it and even regard it as an ominous thing. This article has screened out the top ten evi...
When it comes to the animal kingdom, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While some animals are celebrated for their grace and beauty, others are admired for their uniqueness, despite their odd or "ugly" appearances. In this fun yet educational article, we’re going to explore the top 25...
Parasiter efers to various species that live on parasitism Invertebrates. In many film and television works, the plots in which the host and the parasite coexist harmoniously and even become more powerful are often fascinating. However, the reality is often full of fear and cruelty. Many animals tha...
Email: jsset668#gmail.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit! Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese
