Mangshan mountain viper

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Mangshan mountain vipers are large venomous snakes that grow up to 7 feet long and weigh up to 10 pounds, making it the largest viper in China and among the largest in Asia.
These vipers are mossy green with dark patches on their sides and backs and white-tipped tails.
They are sexually dimorphic with males having longer tails than females and females being heavier than males with somewhat broader heads.

Wild – unknown, estimated 20-25 years
Zoo – unknown, has only been kept in human care for a few years, estimated to be 20-25 years

A female Mangshan mountain viper will lay up to 27 eggs in each clutch. Clutches are laid in June and July.
In human care, eggs hatch 49 to 51 days after being laid. Hatchlings are about 40 cm long.

The largest threat to this species is illegal harvesting for the international live animal trade.
Mang mountain vipers are protected in the Mangshan Natural Nature Reserve. The wild population is estimated to be fewer than 500 individuals.
They are in multiple zoos working to preserve the species, and San Diego Zoo is working to create a studbook for a Species Survival Plan.

Although the Mangshan mountain viper is primarily terrestrial, it can climb trees.
Adults have few predators but juveniles are more vulnerable.
It is thought that they use their white-tipped tails as lures to attract prey.
Research has shown that these snakes seem to have a preference for areas with high numbers of fallen logs and heavy canopy cover during their active season.
During the winter months, they hide deep in caves and under rock ledges. Scientists have found that the ones that go the deepest have the best chance of surviving.
They were not known of by scientists until 1989.

Gong, S., Yang, D., Chen, Y., Lau, M., & Wang, F. (2013). Population status, distribution and conservation needs of the Endangered Mangshan pit viper Protobothrops mangshanensis of China. Oryx, 47(1), 122-127. doi:10.1017/S0030605311001037
Mang Mountain Pit Viper. Retrieved January 24, 2015 from http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/reptiles/mang-mountain-pit-viper
Mangshan Pit Viper. Retrieved from http://www.arkive.org/mangshan-pit-viper/protobothrops-mangshanensis/
Mt. Mang Pit Viper. Retrieved January 24, 2015 from http://www.stlzoo.org/animals/abouttheanimals/reptiles/snakes/mtmangpitviper
Zhang B, Wu B, Yang D, Tao X, Zhang M, Hu S, Chen J, Zheng M. 2020. Habitat association in the critically endangered Mangshan pit viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis), a species endemic to China. PeerJ 8:e9439 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9439
Zhou, Z. (2012). Protobothrops mangshanensis. Retrieved October 12, 2014 from http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/192140/0

Updated January 2025

Last animal team review: October 2023 (Robert Hill)

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