Protobothrops cornutus
| Protobothrops cornutus | |
|---|---|
| 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)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Protobothrops cornutus, commonly known as the horned pit viper[1] or Fan-Si-Pan horned pit viper,[3] is a pit viper species found in northern and central Vietnam and in southern China (Guangdong).[1][2] No subspecies are currently recognized.[2]
Description
Its maximum length is usually around 60-90cm. It has a long body, with a flat oblong trangular head differentiated from the body, with small scales. Its nostril scale is also triangular. [4] It was found to exhibit the largest attack acceleration among snakes, about 18g.[5]
Geographic range
The type locality given is "Fan-si-pan mountains, Tonkin, Indo-China"[2][6] (=Mount Fansipan).[3] It is currently known from several provinces in Vietnam (Lao Cai Province, Ha Giang Province, Quang Binh Province, Hue City, Lang Son Province).[1] The only Chinese record is from Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County in northern Guangdong and was originally described as a new species, Ceratrimeresurus shenlii.[1][2]
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.[1]
Taxonomy
Herrmann et al. (2004) moved this species to the genus Protobothrops based on external and hemipenal morphology, as well as molecular data.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Stuart, B.; Grismer, L.; Nguyen, T.Q. (2012). "Protobothrops cornutus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012 e.T22151A2781729. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T22151A2781729.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Protobothrops cornutus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 17 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Gumprecht A, Tillack F, Orlov NL, Captain A, Ryabov S. 2004. Asian Pitvipers. GeitjeBooks. Berlin. 1st Edition. 368 pp. ISBN 3-937975-00-4.
- ^ "Protobothrops cornutus (Smith, 1930)".
- ^ https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/228/20/jeb250347/369412/Kinematics-of-strikes-in-venomous-snakes
- ^ McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
Further reading
- Smith, M.A. 1930. Two new Snakes from Tonkin, Indo-China. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 10, 6: 681-683.