What is Tokara Habu?

The Tokara habu (Protobothrops tokarensis) is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the Tokara Islands of Japan. There are no subspecies at present.

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Subphylum: Vertebrata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Squamata
  • Suborder: Serpentes
  • Family: Viperidae
  • Subfamily: Crotalinae
  • Genus: Trimeresurus
  • Scientific Name: Trimeresurus tokarensis

Where do Tokara habus live?

These pit viper are found in Japan on the islands of Takara-jima and Kotakara-jima. According to Golay et al. (1993), the type locality is "Takara-jima, province of Kagoshima, Ryukyu Islands".

Description

Scalation: 31 (31-33) rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 199-210 ventral scales, 72-84 subcaudal scales, and 8 (7-9) supralabial scales.
Length: 60-150cm
Color: Light brown to beige with dark brown spots

Habitat of Tokara habu

These pit vipers live in dense vegetations close to sources of water.

Diet

This snake feeds on vertebrates and rodents.

Venom Fact

Venomous

Breeding Season

Summer to monsoon

Mode of Reproduction

Oviparous (egg laying)

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