Japanese mamushi
A species of Asian moccasins Scientific name : Gloydius blomhoffii Genus : Asian moccasins
Japanese mamushi, A species of Asian moccasins
Scientific name: Gloydius blomhoffii
Genus: Asian moccasins
Content
Description General Info
Photo By obsnaturalistas , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
Gloydius blomhoffii, commonly known as the mamushi, Japanese moccasin, Japanese pit viper, Qichun snake or Japanese mamushi, is a venomous pitviper species found in China, Japan, and Korea. There are four subspecies including the nominate subspecies described here.
General Info
Lifespan
10-12 years
Diet
Japanese mamushi has a monophagous diet, chiefly feasting on small mammals like rodents. The species demonstrates opportunistic feeding behavior, adjusting its diet according to prey availability.
Appearance
Japanese mamushi is a small-sized snake with a relatively heavy, humped-back body. It possesses a unique head shape, distinguished by large triangular scales. It is covered by rough, keeled scales featuring rich brown tones with dark, irregular bands wrapping around its body. The tail is of a similar pattern, ending in a sharper point. There's no significant difference in appearance due to age, gender, or subspecies.
Behavior
Japanese mamushi primarily exhibits nocturnal, solitary behavior. This species is ambush predators, remaining largely stationary and camouflaged, awaiting prey. Interaction among their kind generally occurs only during mating season. They use a unique behavior, the 'body bridge', for capturing elusive prey.
Population
Stable
Photo By obsnaturalistas , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Vipers Genus
Asian moccasins Species
Japanese mamushi