Ovophis makazayazaya

(Takahashi, 1922)

Vernacular names
English : Taiwan mountain pitviper
French : Vipère sauteuse de Taiwan

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Viperidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach about 80 cm in length. The head is very triangular, with blunt snout. Scales weakly keeled. Coloration from grey-brown to nearly violet on flanks, black, brown to grey on back with reddish brown spots. Red-brown head.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in eastern Asia, in Taiwan, south and south-east China, eastwards to north-east Vietnam. Lives in leaf litter of montane forests, often near water, from 500 to 2200 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a large range but seems to be rare, especially on Taiwan where it is very rarely encountered. Could be threatened by habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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