Mangshan Pit Viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis) Fact Sheet: Managed Care

• All of a clutch of 8 eggs from a wild-caught pregnant female at San Diego Zoo successfully hatched in 2002
  • Female aggressively defended egg clutch; eggs removed for artificial incubation
  • Incubation temperature 25-29° C (77-82° F)
• San Diego Zoo currently (2011) working to breed this rare species
  • Placing an adult male and female in a cool environment mimics hibernation and should encourage spring breeding

With fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild, some zoos have developed breeding programs to help protect this endangered snake.

The San Diego Zoo has already bred more than 35 of these rare snakes!

© San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

The San Diego Zoo is working to breed this rare snake in managed care.

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

Boyer (2008, 2010)