Protobothrops flavoviridis

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Protobothrops flavoviridis
Habu-pitviper.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Protobothrops
Species:
P. flavoviridis
Binomial name
Protobothrops flavoviridis
(Hallowell, 1861)
Synonyms [2]
  • Bothrops flavoviridisHallowell, 1861
  • Trimeresurus riukiuanus
    Hilgendorf, 1880
  • T[rimeresurus]. flavoviridis
    Boulenger, 1890
  • Lachesis flavoviridis
    – Boulenger, 1896
  • Trimeresurus flavoviridis tinkhami Gloyd, 1955
  • Trimeresurus flavoviridis flavoviridisGloyd, 1955

Protobothrops flavoviridis is a species of pit viper endemic to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. [1] [3] No subspecies are currently recognized. [3] [4] Local common names include habu, [1] [3] [5] Okinawa habu, [6] and Kume Shima habu. [7]

Contents

Description

Mounted specimen at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan Trimeresurus flavoviridis - National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo - DSC06803.JPG
Mounted specimen at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan

Growing to an average total length of 4–5 feet (120–150 cm), with a maximum of 7.9 feet (240 cm), [8] this is the largest member of its genus. It is slenderly built and gracefully proportioned with a large head. The crown of the head is covered with small scales. P. flavoviridis has a light olive or brown ground color, overlaid with elongated dark green or brownish blotches. The blotches have yellow edges, sometimes contain yellow spots, and frequently fuse to produce wavy stripes. The belly is whitish with dark coloring along the edges. [6]

Distribution and habitat

Protobothrops flavoviridis is restricted to the Japanese Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa and the Amami Islands. [1] [3] The type locality is "Amakarima Island (one of the Loo-Choo group)" (= Keramashima, Ryukyu Islands). [2] It is common on the larger volcanic islands, but not present on the smaller coral islands. [6]

The species is often reported from the transition zone between palm forest and cultivated fields. It may also be found on rock walls and in old tombs and caves. [6]

Ecology

The species is terrestrial [7] and mostly nocturnal. It often enters homes and other structures in search of rats and mice. Bold and irritable, it can strike quickly and has a long reach. [6]

Unlike most pit vipers, P. flavoviridis is oviparous and lays eggs, rather than bearing live young. [6] Mating takes place in early spring and up to 18 eggs are laid in mid-summer. The hatchlings, which emerge after an incubation period of 5–6 weeks, are 25 centimetres (10 in) in length and look the same as the adults. [7]

To reduce the population of P. flavoviridis on the island of Okinawa, the small Asian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), was introduced in 1910. Although the effects of this introduction have not been studied, in other such cases the negative effects on species of native birds, mammals, and herpetofauna have been a source of concern for wildlife managers. [9]

Venom

The incidence of snakebite in the Amami Islands is 2 per 1,000 people, which is considered very high. The venom of this species is of high toxicity, containing cytotoxin and hemorrhagin components, [10] yet the fatality rate is less than 1%. [11] A bite from a habu snake can cause nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and possibly death. There have been cases where victims report the loss of motor function in hands and legs following treatment. [12] If a bite victim receives medical care promptly, bites are not life-threatening. However, 6–8% do suffer permanent disability. [6]

LD50 values of 3.1, 4.3, 3.7, 2.7, 3.7, 3.8 mg/kg IV, 5.1 mg/kg IP and 6.0, 3.5-5.0, 4.5 mg/kg SC have been reported for the venom. [13]

Usage by humans

A bottle of "habushu". P. flavoviridis has been subject to overhunting for use in traditional liquor-making. Habushu.jpg
A bottle of "habushu". P. flavoviridis has been subject to overhunting for use in traditional liquor-making.

On the island of Okinawa, this species is heavily collected, primarily for use in habushu (ハブ酒). In this case, the sake is a liquor called awamori (泡盛), alleged to have medicinal properties. As is typical with snake wine, the snakes may be inserted into the container while still alive, causing them to drown, or the snake may be stunned first and gutted while still alive. The production includes the body in the fermentation process and it is sold in bottles that may or may not retain the body of a snake (or other animals such as lizards or scorpions). [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Habu</span> Index of articles associated with the same name

Habu (波布) is a Ryukyuan name referring to certain venomous snakes:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amami rabbit</span> Species of mammal

The Amami rabbit, also known as the Ryukyu rabbit is a dark-furred species of rabbit which is only found on Amami Ōshima and Tokunoshima, two small islands between southern Kyūshū and Okinawa in Japan. Often called a living fossil, the Amami rabbit is a living remnant of ancient rabbits that once lived on the Asian mainland, where they died out, remaining only on the two small Japanese islands where they live today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amami Ōshima</span> Island within Ryukyu Islands

Amami Ōshima, also known as Amami, is the largest island in the Amami archipelago between Kyūshū and Okinawa. It is one of the Satsunan Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puff adder</span> Species of highly venomous snake

The puff adder is a highly venomous viper species found in savannahs and grasslands from Morocco and western Arabia throughout Africa except for the Sahara and rainforest regions. It is responsible for causing the most snakebite fatalities in Africa owing to various factors, such as its wide distribution, frequent occurrence in highly populated regions, and aggressive disposition. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Protobothrops mucrosquamatus</i> Species of snake

Protobothrops mucrosquamatus is a venomous pit viper species endemic to Asia. Common names include: brown-spotted pit viper, Taiwanese habu and pointed-scaled pit viper. No subspecies are currently recognized. The species was first described by Theodore Cantor in 1839.

<i>Echis</i> Genus of snakes

Echis is a genus of vipers found in the dry regions of Africa, the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. They have a characteristic threat display, rubbing sections of their body together to produce a "sizzling" warning sound. The name Echis is the Latin transliteration of the Greek word for "viper" (ἔχις). Like all vipers, they are venomous. Their common name is "saw-scaled vipers" and they include some of the species responsible for causing the most snakebite cases and deaths in the world. Twelve species are currently recognized.

<i>Vipera</i> Genus of snakes

Vipera is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The genus has a very wide range, being found from North Africa to just within the Arctic Circle, and from Great Britain to Pacific Asia. The Latin name vīpera is possibly derived from the Latin words vivus and pario, meaning "alive" and "bear" or "bring forth"; likely a reference to the fact that most vipers bear live young. 21 species are recognized as being valid. Like all other vipers, the members of this genus are venomous.

<i>Vipera ammodytes</i> Species of snake

Vipera ammodytes, commonly known as horned viper, long-nosed viper, nose-horned viper, and sand viper, is a species of viper found in southern Europe, mainly northern Italy, the Balkans, and parts of Asia Minor. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. It is reputed to be the most dangerous of the European vipers due to its large size, long fangs and high venom toxicity. The specific name, ammodytes, is derived from the Greek words ammos, meaning "sand", and dutes, meaning "burrower" or "diver", despite its preference for rocky habitats. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamushi</span> Species of snake

Gloydius blomhoffii, commonly known as the mamushi, Japanese moccasin, Japanese pit viper, Qichun snake, Salmusa or Japanese mamushi, is a pit viper species found in Japan. It was once considered to have 4 subspecies, but it is now considered monotypic.

<i>Causus rhombeatus</i> Species of snake

Causus rhombeatus, commonly known as the rhombic night adder, is a viper species endemic to subsaharan Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryukyu Islands</span> Chain of Japanese islands that stretch southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan

The Ryukyu Islands, also known as the Nansei Islands or the Ryukyu Arc, are a chain of Japanese islands that stretch southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan: the Ryukyu Islands are divided into the Satsunan Islands and Okinawa Prefecture. The larger are mostly volcanic islands and the smaller mostly coral. The largest is Okinawa Island.

<i>Habushu</i> Awamori-based liqueur made in Okinawa, Japan

Habushu (ハブ酒) is an awamori-based liqueur made in Okinawa, Japan. Other common names include Habu Sake or Okinawan Snake Wine. Habushu is named after the habu snake, Trimeresurus flavoviridis, which belongs to the pit viper subfamily of vipers, and is closely related to the rattlesnake and copperhead. Like all vipers, Habu snakes are venomous. These snakes are native to parts of Southeast Asia, including large island groups such as the Philippines, Ryukyus, and Japan.

<i>Ovophis okinavensis</i> Species of snake

Ovophis okinavensis, commonly known as the hime habu (ヒメハブ), Ryukyu Island pit viper, and the Okinawan pitviper, is a venomous pitviper species found in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Protobothrops elegans</i> Species of snake

Protobothrops elegans is a pit viper species endemic to Japan in the southern Ryukyu Islands. No subspecies are currently recognized. Common names include: elegant pit viper, Sakishima habu (サキシマハブ), and elegant tree viper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tokara habu</span> Species of snake

The Tokara habu is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the Tokara Islands of Japan. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Okinawa habu may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small Indian mongoose</span> Species of carnivoran in South Asia

The small Indian mongoose is a mongoose species native to Iraq and northern India; it has also been introduced to several Caribbean and Pacific islands.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ota, H.; Kidera, N. (2018). "Protobothrops flavoviridis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T96265495A96265515. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T96265495A96265515.en . Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  2. 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN   1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN   1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. 1 2 3 4 Protobothrops flavoviridis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 August 2022.
  4. ↑ "Protobothrops flavoviridis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  5. ↑ Gumprecht A, Tillack F, Orlov NL, Captain A, Ryabov S (2004). Asian Pitvipers. 1st Edition. Berlin: GeitjeBooks. 368 pp. ISBN   3-937975-00-4.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 U.S. Navy (1991). Poisonous Snakes of the World. New York: US Government / Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN   0-486-26629-X.
  7. 1 2 3 Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN   0-8069-6460-X.
  8. ↑ "沖縄県における平成 23 年の毒蛇咬症" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  9. ↑ Hays, Warren S. T.; Conant, Sheila (2007). "Biology and impacts of Pacific island invasive species. 1. A worldwide review of effects of the small Indian mongoose, Herpestes javanicus (Carnivora: Herpestidae)" (PDF). Pacific Science. 61 (1): 3–16. doi:10.1353/psc.2007.0006. hdl: 10125/22595 . S2CID   86338152.
  10. ↑ O'Shea, M. (2008). Venomous Snakes of the World. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
  11. ↑ "沖縄県における平成 23 年の毒蛇咬症" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2013-03-11.. According to this report, 8901 snakebites from this snake are reported during 1964-2011 in Okinawa prefecture(Amami excluded). Among those, fatalities are 53. So, fatality rate is around 0.6%.
  12. ↑ "An experimental study of emergency care for habu bites : estimation of amount of venom removed by suction". Ryukyu Medical Association. 5 (3): 196–200. 1982.
  13. ↑ Brown, John Haynes (1973). Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes . Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. ISBN   0-398-02808-7.
  14. ↑ "Okinawa's potent habu sake packs healthy punch, poisonous snake". Archived from the original on 27 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-07.

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