What is the most common viper in China? Many people may think of snakes with short tail and belly, because among all venomous snake species in my country, they have the widest distribution area. Whether in North China, Central China or even South China, they can often be seen in the season when snakes appear.
However, there is another kind of venomous snake in nature, which was once ignored by people, and was even regarded as non-venomous snake . It is tiger-necked snake .
Tiger-necked and grooved snake
Tiger-necked and grooved snake is what kind of snake?
Speaking of tiger-spotted snake, maybe many people don’t understand what kind of snake the author is talking about? Because this is just its scientific name, but if you mention some of its common names, such as pheasant neck snake, cockscomb snake, pheasant item, bamboo pole green, etc., most people will feel relatively familiar and impressed.
The tiger-spotted colubrid, also known as the tiger-spotted colubrid, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The distribution area of this snake is extremely wide. Except for some distribution abroad, it can be basically seen everywhere in China.
According to research by biologists, except for the fact that there are currently no traces of them in Hainan Province and other places, it can be said that they are almost all over China!
Because this snake species is widely distributed, there are some individual details in its individual colors.
Currently, the Chinese academic community divides the tiger-spotted snake into three subspecies, namely the named subspecies, the mainland subspecies and the Taiwanese subspecies.
They are basically similar in general, but due to the influence of external factors such as the geographical environment in which they live and temperature differences, there are indeed some subtle differences in the pattern style and color depth of the tiger-spotted snake.
Although the three subspecies of tiger-spotted snakes have some differences in appearance, their living habits are basically the same, so no matter how they are called in local dialects, they all belong to the same snake species.
An introduction to the basic physical characteristics of the tiger-spotted snake.
The tiger-spotted snake has a long and flat head, which is clearly distinguished from the neck; the eyes are large and the pupils are round. There is a deep black stripe between the lip scales just below the eyes, and there are also two lines behind the eyes. There is a thick black stripe; there are 9 symmetrical scales on the head of the snake; the neck is covered with black, cyan, red (or orange) patterned scales; the snake's body is mainly bamboo green pattern, or there are green and black scales all over, and the belly is generally gray-white.
Tiger-necked snakes are just like their common name. The characteristic patterns on their necks really resemble the feathers of pheasants and other animals. Their colorful bodies also look very beautiful. This snake is also highly recognizable among snakes. It is somewhat similar to red neck groove snake , but if you look carefully, they are still very easy to distinguish.
Red-necked snake
Tiger-necked grooved snake
Tiger-necked grooved snake has an adult body length of about 80 to 100 centimeters and a weight of about 120 to 330 grams. Although it is not too outstanding in terms of weight, it can be regarded as a medium-sized snake among all snakes in my country.
Why is the tiger-necked snake very dangerous?
It is a snake that was once underestimated by people, and it was also the snake that was once the most controversial in academia.
The tiger-necked snake was once defined as a non-venomous snake by most scientists, because many people believe that snakes in the family Colubridae basically do not pose a fatal threat to the human body. And although the snake has teeth, they are neither groove teeth like the cobra snakes, nor tube teeth like the viper family. Although it also has venom glands, it does not have venom glands like other venomous snakes. The teeth can directly connect to the venom glands and then detoxify through the venom fang tubes.
Their teeth grow very far back, mainly to make it easier to eat. They are not what people call posterior groove teeth. There are no ducts connecting the venom glands inside the teeth. Therefore, many scientists initially believed that it did not pose a great threat to the human body, so they initially defined it as a non-venomous snake.
However, it also has the Daltonian gland of some Colubrid snakes, and the distance between the venom glands and the teeth is very close. Many people may be fine when they are bitten for the first time, but if they keep playing with it on their hands, the venom glands are likely to overflow venom due to the bite, and the worst result is death.
There have been many cases in Japan where people were accidentally bitten by tiger-necked groove snakes because they mistook them for non-venomous snakes and failed to rescue them in time.
In addition to the numerous deaths caused by tiger-necked snake bites in foreign countries, there have also been many related real news in our country. It can be seen that the tiger-necked snake is not a non-venomous snake species that people often say.
With the occurrence of various cases, the scientific academic community has once again had to conduct in-depth research on the tiger-spotted snake. Researchers took the venom from the venom gland of the snake and analyzed its LD50 (half lethal dose) value for study. They found that it is basically similar to the venom value of the well-known five-step snake, and its venom is no less toxic than the viper that many people are afraid of. This once again confirmed its danger level and redefined it.
In addition, tiger-necked snakes also have another venom gland on their neck. They can ingest some toads and other food and convert the poison contained in their bodies into the venom glands on their necks. This is also the most powerful defense method it has developed to prevent being harmed by natural enemies.
If the tiger-spotted neck-groove snake is attacked by natural enemies or other types of snakes, as long as its neck is attacked or squeezed, its venom will overflow, and its toxicity cannot be underestimated.
In rural areas of my country, some people once discovered that after their cat was bitten by a tiger-spotted snake, the pet itself also developed a poisoning reaction. The cat would foam at the mouth in a short period of time, and in severe cases, it could even lead to death.
Many people may still not take it seriously for such a dangerous snake creature. So friends who have read this article, I hope everyone can have a preliminary understanding of the tiger-necked snake and be alert to how dangerous it is!
The tiger-necked snake is not a non-venomous snake in the true sense. There may even be some information or copywriting that has not been updated and still defines it as a non-venomous snake. But the fact is that it is not that simple. If you insist on taking risks, you may be in danger of your life! Therefore, the author advises everyone to pay attention and remind each other not to treat their own lives and the lives of others as child's play.
How to be wary of tiger-necked snakes and avoid too much contact with them?
Although tiger-necked snakes are widely distributed, most of them like to live in relatively humid environments. They are good at swimming and usually like to prey on small crucian carp , wheat ears, frogs, toads, etc.
Therefore, in the season when snakes often appear, friends who are busy farming or like outdoor fishing need to be very careful. Some ponds, field ridges, wetlands or relatively humid areas are likely to encounter them.
Although it will not actively attack humans, it may inevitably be stepped on accidentally. If you are accidentally bitten, be sure not to be too careless!
Although some people may not have any major safety problems after being bitten, in order to reduce the risk and ensure their absolute safety, they must seek medical treatment in time. Tell the doctor what kind of snake you were bitten by so that you can receive appropriate treatment.
In addition to tiger-necked snakes, no matter what kind of snake it is, as long as you don’t recognize it, it is best to go to the hospital and ask professionals to identify it and provide effective and reliable treatment.
In addition to near ponds, they may also sneak into residential houses to prey on some lizards, toads, etc. As long as you find it, you need to be very careful. Don't try to catch it blindly. Even if you are lucky enough not to be bitten, the venom secreted by the venom glands in its neck is still very dangerous.
Tiger-necked snakes sometimes appear in the damp grass in vegetable fields. If you find it, you can give it a little scare. As the saying goes, "snake the snake in the grass" and let it leave on its own.
Although snakes are hated by many people, their medicinal value is also very huge, and they have made outstanding contributions to the treatment of many basic human diseases.
Whether they are venomous or non-venomous snakes, many are currently protected by law, and the tiger-spotted snake is no exception. Although it has a wide distribution area, it has become an endangered species in recent years, so you must not kill it blindly and maliciously, otherwise you may be punished by law.
The above is the entire content of this article. There are many shortcomings in the article. Please forgive me. So have you ever encountered this kind of snake in your life? Welcome to leave messages in the comment area. We will see you again for more exciting content!
