In Vietnam, there exists a venomous snake species that is endemic and can only be found on a small island in Kiên Giang Province.
The Endemic Venomous Snake Found Only on Hon Son Island
Hon Son, also known as Hon Son Rai, is an island located in Lai Son Commune, Kien Hai District, Kiên Giang Province. This island has an area of 11.5 km2, situated in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 65 km west of Rach Gia City.
Hon Son features a diverse landscape, including mountains, forests, and pristine white sandy beaches. The island is famous for its untouched beauty, clear blue waters, and attractive eco-tourism activities such as hiking, watching the sunrise from the 450-meter-high Ma Thien Lanh peak, swimming, and exploring fishing villages.
Hon Son is now a popular tourist destination (Photo: Thamhiemmekong).
The island’s specialties include fresh seafood and traditional fish sauce. The lifestyle of the island’s fishermen creates a friendly and simple atmosphere, providing visitors with a sense of closeness and relaxation while exploring the coastal culture.
With a mild climate year-round, Hon Son is gradually becoming an ideal destination for travelers seeking a peaceful experience close to nature.
In addition to its beautiful natural scenery, Hon Son is home to a unique venomous snake species that only exists on this island. This species is known as the Hon Son pit viper.
The Hon Son pit viper, also referred to by locals as the sesame seed snake, scientifically named Trimeresurus honsonensis. This species was first described in 2008 by three biologists: Ngo Van Tri (Tropical Biology Institute of Vietnam), Larry Lee Grismer (La Sierra University, USA), and Jesse Leland Grismer (University of Kansas, USA).
Since this is an endemic snake species found only on Hon Son, it is named scientifically after the island.
A Hon Son pit viper with vibrant colors and beautiful patterns (Photo: Nguyễn Minh Phú).
<pLike other species in the viper family, the Hon Son pit viper has a large triangular head, distinctly separated from its neck and body. Prominently featured on its head are bright brown or orange eyes.
This snake species is relatively small, with adult males reaching a maximum length of 80 cm and weighing between 150 to 200 grams, while females can grow up to 100 cm and weigh around 300 grams.
The Hon Son pit viper has a large head, distinct from its neck and body (Photo: Lowzi_herp).
Despite being called a “pit viper,” this species does not have green scales. Instead, they possess an impressive and striking appearance. The coloration of this snake can vary, but they typically have a light green, yellow, or brown body… with dark green or black stripes running across their bodies, creating irregular patterns.
This is a snake with an attractive and stunning appearance, but do not be misled by its patterns, as it possesses dangerous venom.
Habits and Diet of the Hon Son Pit Viper
The Hon Son pit viper spends most of its time in trees. They are often found in areas near water, such as streams, as they prefer humid environments.
They primarily feed on small mammals, birds, lizards, and frogs. This snake uses an ambush hunting strategy, patiently waiting for prey to come close before striking, injecting venom into the prey, and consuming it.
This species of viper is nocturnal. This behavior helps them avoid the extreme heat of the day and evade potential predators in the wild. During the day, they often hide in tree hollows or under dense foliage… their body colors help them camouflage well in their habitat.
The coloration of the Hon Son pit viper helps them easily camouflage for hiding or hunting (Photo: Nguyễn Dương Phúc Nguyên).
<pLike other pit vipers, the Hon Son pit viper is ovoviviparous, meaning that after fertilization, the eggs remain inside the mother’s oviduct until they hatch into baby snakes and emerge. This reproductive method differs from live birth in that there is no placental connection between mother and offspring, and the mother’s body does not provide gas exchange for the young.
Newborn snakes already exhibit characteristics similar to adult snakes and possess venom glands and fangs for injecting venom.
How Dangerous is the Hon Son Pit Viper?
The Hon Son pit viper has highly dangerous venom. When bitten, the victim will experience pain, swelling, and bleeding disorders that can lead to continuous blood loss. Without timely medical care, it may result in tissue necrosis or even death.
The Hon Son pit viper has large orange or brown eyes (Photo: Trần Nguyên Phúc).
In the event of a snake bite, it is crucial to immediately take the victim to the nearest medical facility. Keep the victim still and immobilize the bitten area, avoiding excessive movement. Absolutely do not use a tourniquet on the bite, as this can lead to tissue necrosis.
Although the Hon Son pit viper is a venomous species, it plays a significant role in the ecosystem by helping to control populations of small mammals, frogs, and birds within its habitat. The venom of this species is also being researched for its pharmacological properties for drug development.
Conservation Status of the Hon Son Pit Viper
Because the Hon Son pit viper is endemic to a small island, it is quite rare and has a small population size. The snake’s habitat has also been significantly impacted by tourism activities and road construction carried out by humans.
This species is currently listed as “vulnerable” in Vietnam’s Red Book, classified as a species that is highly threatened with extinction if negatively impacted by habitat disruption or hunted for ornamental purposes.
