Vietnamese scientist and colleagues discover rare venomous snake species

(Dan Tri) - A new species of venomous snake was discovered by scientists from Vietnam, China, Russia and Germany in the Himalayas of Tibet, China.

A new species of viper, dubbed the "treasure viper" (Trimeresurus pretiosus), has just been discovered by scientists in the mountains of southern Tibet.

The discovery was the result of a survey of reptiles and amphibians in the area, which is renowned for its biodiversity but remains shrouded in mystery due to its rugged terrain.

During a field trip in June, the team encountered and collected three strange-looking snakes. After careful analysis, scientists confirmed that this was a completely new species of snake belonging to the genus Trimeresurus.

Master Nguyen Van Tan, a member of the research team from Duy Tan University ( Da Nang ), said that this snake species is scientifically named Trimeresurus pretiosus, with the Vietnamese name being treasure viper.

The name "Pretiosus" (precious) reflects their brilliant color and rarity, likened to "a green gem hidden in the primeval forest."

The Treasure Viper has a distinctive green color, striking red eyes, and is about 60cm long when fully grown. It has a triangular head and a relatively long tail with a red tip.

In particular, there is a difference in color between male and female snakes: male snakes have reddish-brown eyes and red and white stripes along their bodies, while female snakes have orange-yellow eyes and only one white stripe.

This snake lives in forests at an altitude of about 1,800m, often hiding in grass or near rocks surrounded by dense vegetation, near rivers. Its body color helps it camouflage effectively in its habitat.

One captured specimen of the treasure viper vomited an undigested mouse, suggesting that its diet consists primarily of small mammals, including rodents. As a member of the viper family, it possesses dangerous venom, although the specific toxicity has not been studied.

Images of the treasure pit viper in its natural habitat (Photo: Yuhao Xu).

Currently, the treasure viper is only found in the Adong County, south of Tibet, China, bordering India and Bhutan, hence the name of the Oriental viper. Although amphibian and reptile surveys have been conducted in the Adong County since the 1970s, this is the first time the snake has been recorded, highlighting its rarity in the wild.

According to Master Nguyen Van Tan, this discovery has raised the total number of Trimeresurus viper species to 56 globally and the number of snakes distributed in Tibet to 67 species.

Details of the treasure pit viper have been published in the scientific journal Herpetozoa, which specializes in the taxonomy, ecology, evolution and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/nha-khoa-hoc-viet-va-cong-su-phat-hien-loai-ran-doc-quy-hiem-20250916161523716.htm