Protobothrops flavoviridis
| Protobothrops flavoviridis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| 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] | |
| |
The Okinawa habu[3] (Protobothrops flavoviridis) is a species of pit viper endemic to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan.[1][4] No subspecies are currently recognized.[4][5] Local common names include habu[1][4][6] and Kume Shima habu.[7] The term "habu" in Okinawa Prefecture can also refer to the Sakishima habu (Protobothrops elegans) or elegant pit viper.
Description
[edit | edit source]
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.[3]
Distribution and habitat
[edit | edit source]The Okinawa habu is restricted to the Japanese Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa and the Amami Islands.[1][4] 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.[3]
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.[3]
Ecology
[edit | edit source]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.[3]
Unlike most pit vipers, the habu is oviparous and lays eggs, rather than bearing live young.[3] 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 cm (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 Indian 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
[edit | edit source]The incidence of snakebite in the Amami Islands is two 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. In some cases, victims reported 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.[3]
LD50 values of 3.1, 4.3, 3.7, 2.7, 3.7, and 3.8 mg/kg intravenous, 5.1 mg/kg intraperitoneal, and 6.0, 3.5-5.0, and 4.5 mg/kg subcutaneous administrations have been reported for the venom.[13]
Use by humans
[edit | edit source]
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
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c d Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b 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. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (series). Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (volume).
- ^ a b c d e f g U.S. Navy (1991). Poisonous Snakes of the World. New York: US Government / Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
- ^ a b c d Protobothrops flavoviridis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 August 2022.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Gumprecht A, Tillack F, Orlov NL, Captain A, Ryabov S (2004). Asian Pitvipers. 1st Edition. Berlin: GeitjeBooks. 368 pp. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
- ^ a b c Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).. According to this report, 8901 snakebites from this snake were reported during 1964-2011 in Okinawa prefecture(Amami excluded). Among those, fatalities are 53. So, fatality rate is around 0.6%.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Hallowell E (1861). "Report upon the Reptilia of the North Pacific Exploring Expedition, under command of Capt. John Rogers, U. S. N." Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 12: 480–510. (Bothrops flavoviridis, new species, pp. 492–493).
External links
[edit | edit source]- Error creating thumbnail: File missing Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons
Lua error in Module:Taxonbar at line 165: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). Lua error in Module:Authority_control at line 153: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).