What is Jerdon’s Pit Viper? A Nature’s Ghost
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Viperidae Genus: Protobothrops Species: P. jerdonii Scientific Name: Protobothrops jerdonii
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What Makes Malayan Pit Viper so Dangerous?
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Viperidae Subfamily: Crotalinae Genus: Calloselasma Species: C. rhodostoma Scientific Name: Calloselasma rhodostoma
Pit Vipers' Basic Information
Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Squamata Family Viperidae Genus 22 genera in the subfamily Crotalinae Species 150+ Species Niche Ambush Predator Length From 1 to 13 feet (30 cm – 4 m) Weight Up to 15 lbs (7 kg) Lifespan Varies by species Social Structure Typically solitary Conservation Status Least Concern to Endangered Preferred Habitat Variety of Habitats, depending on the species Average Clutch Size Between 2 and 86, depending on the species Main Prey Species Smaller rodents, reptiles, birds Predators Some mammals, large birds, humans Pit Viper is a common name used for species in the subfamily Crotalinae which share the defining feature of having infrared-sensing organs on the front of their face. “Pit Viper” actually refers to over 150 different species that are found around the world and occupy habitats as diverse as the desert and the jungle – from Australia to Arizona. This group includes rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, copperheads, moccasins, the white-...