Bronx Zoo displays hatchling of rare snake species

The Bronx Zoo’s World of Reptiles is now offering the public a chance to see a hatchling of one of the world’s rarest snake species.

Mangshan pit vipers (Protobothrops mangshanensis) were only discovered in 1990 and are believed to exist in the wild solely within a 115-square-mile area of densely forested mountains in southeast China. There are only an estimated 500 Mangshan pit vipers believed to exist in the wild and the species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List; there are approximately 150 Mangshan pit vipers in zoos in the United States and Europe.

The Bronx Zoo began a husbandry program for Mangshan pit vipers in 2011. On Aug. 7, the zoo successfully hatched two of the vipers for the first time.

“This is significant to our conservation efforts as they increase the genetic diversity and support the sustainability of this endangered species,” said the zoo in a press statement. “One of the hatchlings can be seen in the World of Reptiles nursery, and both are currently about eight inches long and will grow to just over 6 feet as adults. In addition to the hatchling in the nursery, an adult pair of Mangshan pit vipers can also be seen in the World of Reptiles. In total, the zoo has 11 Mangshan pit vipers in its breeding program.”

Photo: Julie Larsen @WCS