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type Status Habitat

REPTILE

ENDANGERED

CHINA



Pit vipers are found from deserts to rainforests

they feed on insects, amphibians, and mammals. They hunt at night because they are nocturnal

























We want warmth!

The winters in this viper's habitat have many days of freezing temperatures. As colder days approach, Mang Mountain pit vipers crawl into caves and under rock ledges. Scientists have found that the snakes that go the deepest have the best chance of surviving until spring.

A fairly new find

As far as we know, no one had ever seen a Mang Mountain pit viper until 1989. Its green and brown coloring is perfect camouflage for moving around the forest floor, and if the snake stays still, it seems to vanish!

FEATURES


IT'S THE "TOOTH"

  • A 16-inch-long youngster hatches out of an egg about the size of a chicken egg.

    • COMING OUT OF THEIR SHELL

  • Fangs are the only teeth a viper has. If one is lost, a new fang moves into place.