These two snakes are the only members of the Azemiops genus, and the only noticeable difference between the two is the coloration of the head. They’re recognizable by their black body with a few cream bands, while the head is entirely cream-colored. These types of vipers in China aren’t large, with the largest specimens growing up to 30 inches in length. There, they live in open areas and forests, rarely wandering into human habitat. They’re found in parts of South and Central China, and even parts of Myanmar and Vietnam. While the population of these snakes is not at risk, they’re secretive and very rarely seen, so very little is known about them. On the contrary, there are very few documented deaths from a copperhead bite.Fea’s vipers are one of the two species of the Azemiops genus, endemic to Asia. A single bite from the bushmaster, even a juvenile specimen, can be fatal. Both are pit vipers, but the potency of their venom differs greatly. Consider the difference between the South American bushmaster ( Lachesis muta) and the North American copperhead ( Agkistrodon contortrix). But the strength and type of venom varies from one species to another. All of the pit vipers are venomous snakes. Japan, southern China, parts of Southeast Asia Southeastern Canada, eastern part of United States Mexico, Central America, northern parts of South America Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran, China, Nepa, Japan, Korea North America, Central America and the northern half of South America Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, etc.) Widespread throughout Mexico, Central and South America Panama and parts of northern South America Parts of Mexico, Central and South America So here's a list of the 18 genera those species fall into: Genus I'm not going to list all 151 species of pit vipers on this page. Just remember that the animals themselves are not changing, but rather the way we "label" them.Įyelash viper ( Bothriechis schlegelii) | Image licensed under Creative Commons 3.0 So, five years from now, there could be more or fewer pit vipers in this family. Scientists are constantly debating over the way animals are classified.
The word "current" is a key part of the last sentence. Under the current system of classification, there are 18 genera and 151 snake species within the pit viper subfamily. They have adapted to survive in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from deserts to jungle. These venomous snakes can be found across parts of Europe, Asia, and both North and South America. Pit vipers are widespread throughout the world. Southern Pacific rattlesnake ( Crotalus oreganus helleri) Where Do Pit Vipers Live? Let's talk more about the types of snakes that are pit vipers. Under the current system of classification, the pit vipers are grouped as a subfamily of Viperidae. In other words, there are some snakes in the Viperidae family that don't have pits (such as the puff adder). But not all of the Viperidae are pit vipers. Let's take this definition a step further into the world of taxonomy, or classification.Ĭottonmouth / water moccasin ( Agkistrodon piscivorus)Īll pit vipers are members of the Viperidae family. They are all vipers, and they all have heat-sensing pits used for hunting. The term "pit viper" refers to a group of snakes that share certain traits in common. The classification of pit vipers tends to confuse people. They can detect differences in temperature, which helps the pit vipers locate their prey (especially the warm-blooded animals). These pits are located about midway between the snake's eye and nostril. The first part of the name, "pit," refers to the heat-sensing pits these snakes have. All of the snakes in this group are members of the Viperidae family of snakes - vipers for short. There are two parts to the term "pit viper," and they both tell you something about these snakes. White-lipped tree viper ( Trimeresurus albolabris) What is a Pit Viper, Exactly? What is a pit viper? How many different kinds are there? Are they all dangerous? Let's explore the world of the venomous snakes. In this article, we will examine the pit vipers in more detail. They are masters of the hunt, armed with some amazing "tools" for finding and killing their prey. They exist on several different continents, and within a wide variety of habitats. Pit vipers are some of the most beautiful, and most dangerous, snakes in the world. Squamata > Viperidae > Pit Vipers The Pit Vipers - Snake Facts & Photos
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