One of them is dubbed the “King of Warm-Blooded Animal Hunters in Vietnam.” These species of snakes have been mentioned by experienced wildlife researcher Phung My Trung. In this article, we will introduce readers to each type of highly venomous snake that the wildlife researcher has discussed in his personal post.
1. Jerdon’s Pit Viper (Protobothrops jerdonii)
The Jerdon’s Pit Viper (Protobothrops jerdonii) is on the list of the most venomous snakes in Vietnam.
They typically inhabit high mountainous regions, which is why this reptile possesses the best cold tolerance that reptile researchers in Vietnam have discovered.
The triangular head with intricate patterns signals terrible death. (Photo: Phung My Trung).
Wildlife researcher Phung My Trung noted that the photo he took of this highly venomous snake was when he encountered it at an altitude of 2,900 meters at the “roof of Indochina.” This snake, nearly 1 meter long, often hunts in shallow streams within Hoang Lien National Park.
The frightening patterns of the Jerdon’s Pit Viper photographed on Fansipan Mountain. (Photo: Phung Trung My/Vncreatures.net).
The Jerdon’s Pit Viper, with the Latin name Protobothrops jerdonii, belongs to the Viperidae family. This forest-dwelling snake possesses a dangerously beautiful appearance: its body is covered with a pattern of yellow and black skin; its triangular head is always ready to strike prey in an instant.
The Jerdon’s Pit Viper in the world has intricate patterns that glimmer with a jade hue. (Photo: Johan Fredriksson).
The venom of this pit viper is a type of cytotoxic toxin. After a “strike” as quick as a flash, the entire white and red blood cell count of the victim is destroyed, causing internal bleeding and leading to death within minutes.
2. White-Headed Pit Viper (Azemiops feae)
Also known as Azemiops feae, the white-headed pit viper is one of the few snake species that live at an altitude of about 1,000 meters above sea level.
Azemiops feae is one of the most primitive pit viper species, commonly found in Fansipan and mountainous regions of Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Vinh Phuc (in Tam Dao).
The white-headed pit viper in the world. (Photo: Tim Vickers).
The most bizarre and frightening feature of this 80cm long snake is its white head, while its body is black adorned with red edges.
Some worldwide variants have bright silver colors with pale yellow edges throughout their body, but the head remains silver/white or pale yellow.
The white-headed pit viper has the ability to produce both neurotoxins and cytotoxins, making it extremely dangerous to human life. Many professional forest explorers advise against provoking this species as they are very aggressive.
3. Mountain Pit Viper (Ovophis monticola)
Mountain Pit Viper. (Photo: Stefan Thomson).
With a shiny brown color adorned with intricate black patterns, the mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola), which specializes in nocturnal hunting, is one of the most fearsome “grim reapers” of forest-dwelling creatures at an altitude of 1,500 meters.
With a triangular head shaped by nature’s “sharpness,” this snake can deliver incredibly quick strikes when it scents its prey.
Although colorblind, this species has an exceptional sense of smell, which is why it is dubbed the “King of Warm-Blooded Animal Hunters in Vietnam.”
The mountain pit viper has an extremely sensitive sense of smell. (Photo: Felis.in).
Their favorite prey includes mice, birds, and lizards…
In Vietnam, this species is mainly found in Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Lang Son, Gia Lai, Kontum, Lam Dong…
4. Bamboo Pit Viper (Protobothrops mucrosquamatus)
Bamboo Pit Viper (Protobothrops mucrosquamatus). (Photo: Picssr.com).
Commonly found in mountainous areas at 1,000 meters above sea level, the Bamboo Pit Viper (Protobothrops mucrosquamatus) is also a fairly common snake species in Fansipan.
This pit viper can reach a maximum length of 112cm. Its body is covered with dark and light brown patterns.
This species is characterized by its nocturnal hunting in the areas around streams and shallow brooks, with their favorite prey being frogs, small carnivorous animals…
In Vietnam, they are found widely in Ha Giang, Lang Son, Vinh Phuc, Nghe An, Gia Lai, and many other regions.
*This article utilizes materials from: Wildlife researcher Phung My Trung, Vncreatures, Wikipedia.
