Trimeresurus gracilis

Trimeresurus gracilis, commonly known as the Taiwan pit viper, is a venomous pit viper species endemic to Taiwan. No subspecies are currently recognized.[3] The species is known as Kikushi habu in Japanese.[4]

Trimeresurus gracilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Trimeresurus
Species:
T. gracilis
Binomial name
Trimeresurus gracilis

Description

Trimeresurus gracilis is a small snake with a total length up to 60 cm (24 in).[5] Scalation includes 19 (or 21) rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 144-149 ventral scales, 43-53 subcaudal scales, and 7-8 supralabial scales.[4]

Geographic range

It is found only in Taiwan, above 2,000 m (6,600 ft) above sea level.[1] The type locality given is "Mt. Noko, Nanto". According to Zhao and Adler (1993), this would be "Mt. Nôkô, Nanto Co., central Formosa" (Mount Nengkaoshan, Nantou County, Taiwan).[2]

References
  1. Jiang, J. & Lau, M. (2012). "Trimeresurus gracilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T191909A2014204. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T191909A2014204.en.
  2. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. "Trimeresurus gracilis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  4. Gumprecht A, Tillack F, Orlov NL, Captain A, Ryabov S. 2004. Asian Pitvipers. GeitjeBooks. Berlin. 1st Edition. 368 pp. ISBN 3-937975-00-4.
  5. Hans Breuer & William Christopher Murphy (2009–2010). "Trimeresurus gracilis". Snakes of Taiwan. Retrieved 9 October 2012. External link in |work= (help)

Further reading
  • Ōshima, M. 1920. Notes on the Venomous Snakes from the Islands of Formosa and Riu Kiu. Annual Report of the Institute of Science, Government of Formosa. 8 (2): 1-99. ("Trimeresurus gracilis sp. nov.", pp. 10–11 + Plate XII, Figures 5 & 6.)
  • Zhao, Er-mi, and Kraig Adler. 1993. Herpetology of China. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR). Oxford, Ohio. 522 pp. ISBN 978-0916984281.


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