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

• 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

• 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

The Mangshan pit viper is only found in southeast China.

Click here or on map for detailed distribution.

Zhao & Alder (1993)
Boyer (2010)