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Mangshan Pit Viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis) Fact Sheet: Distribution & Habitat

Mangshan Pit Viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis)

Update in Progress

Dear Readers,

This fact sheet, like a snake, is about to slough its skin. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is working to bring you an updated version of the Mangshan Pit Viper Fact Sheet with new science and conservation information. Thanks for your patience, as we crawl among the treetops (yes, this pit viper climbs very well) to bring you new facts. Please check back soon. SDZWA team members can email questions to library@sdzwa.org.

Distribution

  • The Mangshan pit viper is known only from Mangshan Mountain and surrounding areas in Hunan Province, China. (Zhao & Alder 1993)
  • Pit viper species are found around the world in temperate and tropical climates (Ernst & Zug 1996):
    • There are 17 species of pit vipers in North America
    • 89 species in Latin America
    • 1 in Europe and the Middle East
    • None in Africa
    • 44 in Asia
    • None in Australia or Pacific Islands

Habitat

  • Mature forested areas at elevations of 700-1300 m (2300-4300 ft) (Zhao & Alder 1993) (Boyer 2010)
    • Steep and wet terrain
    • Typical flora includes maple, camphor, oak, evergreen conifers, catalpa, bamboo, azalea
  • Winter temperatures down to freezing; average in January about 5° C (41° F) (Boyer 2010)
  • Undisturbed forest preferred

Mangshan Pit Viper Distribution

Mangshan Pit Viper distribution

The Mangshan pit viper is only found in southeast China.

Click here or on map for detailed distribution.

Page Citations

Zhao & Alder (1993)
Boyer (2010)

SDZWA Library Links