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

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.

Breeding in 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

Breeding an Endandered Snake

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!

Mangshan Pit Viper

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

Page Citations

Boyer (2008, 2010)

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