FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
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If you like reading about different species of snakes like the African desert horned viper, then you would love reading about the horned pit viper. With their striking colors and poisonous bite, the horned pit vipers (Protobothrops cornutus) are some of the most interesting snakes in the world. The horned pit viper (Protobothrops cornutus), also known as the Fan Si Pan horned pit viper, is a venomous snake found in Southeast Asia. These snake species are found in Vietnam, China, Japan, and Russia. This horned viper species is a member of the family Viperidae and the genus Protobothrops. The horned viper gets its name from its crown-like horns that can be seen on its head. These horns are actually enlarged scales that give an appearance of a horned helmet. The scales are used to sense heat through infrared waves which helps them find prey that is warm-blooded. They are opportunistic predators who eat mostly rodents and birds.
For this reason, they are not considered a threat to humans unless they're provoked or disturbed by outside interference. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about this unique species of snake so you can learn more about one of nature's most fascinating creatures!
For discovering more such interesting facts about other intriguing animals, you may want to read our spiny bush viper and saw-scaled viper facts articles.
The horned viper (Protobothrops cornutus) is a venomous snake that is found in southeastern Asia. It is the only member of the Protobothrops genus, and its name literally means 'near-biting bullhead'. These horned viper species belong to the family of Viperidae.
The horned viper snake belongs to the class of Reptilia of the Animalia kingdom. It is a member of the Squamata order and the Serpentes suborder.
There is not much data available on the population size of horned viper, however, their population is declining over the years. They are currently listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN Red List.
These horned viper species of snakes are found in Southeast Asia including Indo-china, Indo-malayan, northern Guangdong province of China. This horned viper is found in Northern India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In their natural environment, they often live in evergreen forests and grasslands and avoids deserts.
These horned viper species typically live near water bodies and rice paddies, but can also be found in urban areas in Northern India and other parts of Asia. They are typically found in open fields near rocky areas and avoid deserts. These species are usually found in the grasslands and terrestrial habitats. Moreover, they are largely found in National parks. These horned vipers are found in tropical forests of Southeast Asia and parts of China. They like to inhabit forests with lots of vegetation and can be found at elevations up to 820-6560 ft (250-2,000 m). Protobothrops cornutus is often seen hanging out on tree branches, in caves, or beneath rocks during the day, but it will climb down at night to hunt for food.
These species of vipers are mostly sedentary, apart from their time of reproduction. However, not much data is available.
These species of horned vipers are known to live for around 12-15 years.
The horned pit viper has an impressive reproductive rate for such a medium-sized snake: females lay 4-23 eggs at a time and may even lay two clutches per year. The eggs incubate for two to three months. Females of this species are larger than males and they lay eggs in the summertime after mating. The female of this species also lays the eggs in soil or sand so they can incubate properly. Moreover, they are oviparous. During mating season (March-August), males will try to reach females by climbing trees.
These species of vipers are classified under the population of Near Threatened species by the IUCN Red List. They have been facing the threat of habitat loss over the years.
This type of horned viper has an appearance that is distinctive with its slender body covered in small scales, plus a row of large scales on its head that resemble horns. This horned pit viper snake has a stout body with a length up to 25.5-29.5 in (64.7-75 cm). It has dark brown or black coloration on the upper part of its body and yellow or orange on the underside. However, its coloration can vary from yellow to greenish-brown, with darker brown triangular spots on its back. It has a long tail forked at the end which it uses to release its venom. The scales are smooth, senses heat, keeled, and the tail is short. Their fangs are long, their venom potent, and their bites happen so quickly it can be difficult to escape them.
The horned viper is one of the most beautiful snakes in the world, like rainbow snakes due to its vivid colors. Hence, these species of vipers are considered very adorable and cute.
The horned viper produces various rasping, and hissing calls to communicate. Moreover, they use tactile, and acoustic channels of communication.
The horned viper length may range between 25.5-29.5 in (64.7-75 cm). They are almost equal in size to the spiny bush vipers. They are shorter than an Indigo snake.
These snakes are very agile and quick. However, the exact speed of these snakes is not available.
The horned viper species may weigh around 14 oz (396.8 g). However, their weight is not clearly estimated and available.
These snakes do not have any distinctive names for their specific genders. Both of these snakes are called horned pit vipers.
Baby snakes are called neonates, or snakelets.
These snakes are nocturnal creatures who spend their days hidden under leaves or rocks waiting for prey to pass by. Their diet includes any animal that they can find down to earthworms and tadpoles. These horned viper species feed on birds, mammals, rodents, and other arthropods.
Yes, the horned viper is poisonous, just like mangrove snakes. Most horned viper bites will not kill you but will cause serious harm.
Yes, these horned vipers were introduced due to their popularity as pet snakes. However, they contain venom and should be handled wisely.
These horned vipers are very aggressive, which is why they’re often called 'flying venomous lizards' or 'flying moccasins' by local people.
Mainly horned pit vipers are eaten by feral cats, monitors, and honey badgers.
These horned vipers protect themselves by curling their body and producing some rasping voices with help of their keeled scales.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these boa facts and rubber boa facts for kids pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable angry snake coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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