Wildlifeof China
Mang Mountain Pitviper
Vipers
Photo: TimVickers · Public domain
Protobothrops mangshanensis
China Red List: Critically Endangered (CR)
Basic stats
Diet
Frogs, birds, insects and small mammals
Habitat
Densely vegetated subtropical montane forest, animal trails and limestone caves
Range
Southern Hunan and northern Guangdong, China
Clutch size
13–21 eggs
Size
Up to 203cm
The Mangshan Pit Viper is a large nocturnal viper reaching up to 203cm. Its pale, lichen-like pattern provides camouflage on logs and forest ground, while the white tail tip is moved as a lure to attract prey. Its diet includes frogs, birds, insects and small mammals. (Wikipedia, general species account)
The species is restricted to mountainous areas of southern Hunan and northern Guangdong, where it inhabits subtropical montane forest with dense cover, animal trails and limestone caves. Unlike most vipers, it lays eggs. Females produce clutches of 13–21 eggs and remain with them until hatching. The species was originally described in Trimeresurus before being transferred to Protobothrops. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What does the Mang Mountain Pitviper eat?
- Frogs, birds, insects and small mammals
- What habitat does the Mang Mountain Pitviper live in?
- Densely vegetated subtropical montane forest, animal trails and limestone caves
- Where is the Mang Mountain Pitviper found?
- Southern Hunan and northern Guangdong, China
- How many eggs does the Mang Mountain Pitviper lay?
- 13–21 eggs
- How big is the Mang Mountain Pitviper?
- Up to 203cm