This creature is found in Vietnam and China.
A creature peeking through the bushes, it has a rather unique head with a pointed, upturned snout and eyes resembling those of a cat. Even more strangely, it displays triangular patterns as it starts to emerge to slither across the trail.
This creature moves rather slowly, but its danger should not be underestimated. Can you guess what this creature is?
It turns out to be a Malayan Pit Viper (scientific name: Deinagkistrodon acutus). This species of snake is found in Vietnam in areas such as Lào Cai (Sapa), Lạng Sơn (Mậu Sơn), Vĩnh Phú (Tam Đảo), and southern China (including Hainan Island).
This snake can be thick-bodied, with a characteristic triangular head typical of pit vipers. Its snout extends forward and turns upward, resembling a snout that is turned up. The back is brown with black markings shaped like X’s or triangles, allowing it to camouflage with dry leaves.
Malayan Pit Viper. (Photo: Facebook).
The Malayan Pit Viper has a body length ranging from about 800 to 1,500 mm, occasionally reaching up to 1,800 mm. Its habitat consists of high mountainous forest areas near streams, making encounters with humans quite rare, except for those who venture into the wilderness or practice slash-and-burn agriculture.
When encountering people, it tends to seek refuge, moving quite slowly but hiding a deadly venom. For this reason, it is also known as “the five-step snake”, implying that its extremely potent venom can be fatal to a victim within just five steps.
The venom of the Malayan Pit Viper is a powerful toxin that can rupture blood cells. These snakes are typically active in the early morning and at night.
According to the Vietnam Red Data Book on page 216, this species is now very rare due to the lack of suitable habitats. Threat level: R. Recommended protective measures include a hunting ban, habitat conservation for this species, and organized breeding efforts.
