Wildlifeof China
Chinese Mountain Pit Viper
Vipers
Photo: no rights reserved · CC0
Ovophis monticola
Basic stats
Range
India, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, China (Xizang, Yunnan), Laos, Vietnam and northern Malay Peninsula
Size
Up to about 110 cm in females; males about 49 cm
The Chinese mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) is a venomous pit viper found across the Himalayan foothills and mainland Southeast Asia, reaching China in Xizang and Yunnan. Two subspecies are recognised, and recent taxonomic work suggests most of its former forms should be treated as separate species. (The Reptile Database; Wikipedia, general species account)
The head is short-snouted and covered in small scales rather than large shields, and the dorsal scales are usually smooth. Females are much larger than males, reaching about 110 cm in total length against about 49 cm for males. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- Where is the Chinese Mountain Pit Viper found?
- India, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, China (Xizang, Yunnan), Laos, Vietnam and northern Malay Peninsula
- How big is the Chinese Mountain Pit Viper?
- Up to about 110 cm in females; males about 49 cm