Ovophis monticola makazayazaya (Günther, 1864)
Mountain Pit Viper 山烙鐵頭
(Venomous)
Suborder
Serpentes 蛇亞目
Two rows of alternating pale brown on lower flanks. A whitish Y-shaped marking extends from neck on to head.
Ventrals greyish, with chocolate-brown markings. Body stocky. Head triangular, dark brown on top.
Labials grey. A pale stripe from snout along labials to angle of jaw. Eyes small, with vertical slit-like pupils.
A heat sensing pit between eye and nostril. Two large hinged fangs at the front of upper jaw.
Tail tan, with a thin central line of white dots on top. Head scales granular. Dorsal scales weakly keeled.
Formerly recorded from Tai Mo Shan and Lantau Peak at an elevation of about 900 m. The habitat in both localities is a mixture of mountain grassland and bamboo, interspersed with large rocks and boulders.
More recently has been found at lower altitudes, on the north slope of Kwun Yam Shan (400 m) in forest.
Unlike Bamboo Snake (Trimeresurus albolabris), is generally not aggressive, but its behaviour is unpredictable and may strike if provoked. Although venomous, has never been known to cause a human fatality.
One local female laid 4 eggs (2 unfertilized) in late June, which hatched in about 1 month. Hatchling 15 cm in total length.
This sub-species is found in southern China including Taiwan, and Vietnam.
