- Where to see one
- 4 U.S. zoos in our directory hold mangshan pit viper, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
Conservation status
Not Evaluated
This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.
About the mangshan pit viper
The Mangshan pit viper is a pit viper found only in the mountains of Hunan and Guangdong provinces in southern China, at elevations of 800–1,300 m (2,600–4,300 ft). It is a nocturnal snake that reaches a length of up to 203 cm (6.66 ft) and an adult weight of 3–5 kilograms. It lives in subtropical montane forest with thick vegetation and is often found lying along lichen-covered logs on animal trails, ambushing prey that includes frogs, birds, insects and small mammals. Unusually for a viper, it lays eggs, 13–21 per clutch, and the female guards them until they hatch.
Mangshan Pit Viper facts
- It wiggles its white tail tip to mimic a grub and lure prey within striking range.
- It is also known as the Mangshan iron-head snake.
- Unlike most vipers, it is oviparous, and the female guards her clutch of 13–21 eggs.
- It was first described in the genus Trimeresurus and has been moved between genera since.
Where to see mangshan pit viper in the U.S.
4 zoos across 4 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 4 zoos holding mangshan pit viper by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
California· 1
Louisiana· 1
New Mexico· 1
Ohio· 1
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
