Identification

Bungarus sp.

nocturnal

ground-dwelling

forests, open areas, agricultural zones, populated areas

slender snakes, smallest species between 70 and 90 cm long, largest up to 2 m; several species with clear cross bands along the body

very shy during the day; when threatened the head is hidden under the coils of the body

bites only occur at night, and many victims are bitten while sleeping; the bite often goes unnoticed and the victim awakes with neurotoxic symptoms

Naja sp.

nocturnal and diurnal

ground-dwelling

forests, open areas, agricultural zones; often in densely populated areas

slender to sturdy body; wide head, but not clearly distinct from the body; length 1–2 m

raising the first third of the body, neck region is spread out into a flat hood; some species with a marking on the back of the flattened hood (see picture)

not known

Ophiophagus hannah

nocturnal or diurnal

ground-dwelling

primarily in dense forest, sometimes also in open areas; never in densely populated areas

appearance as for Naja sp., but up to 4 or 5 m long; sturdy body, yet appears slender

as for Naja sp. (see above); in the defensive position can raise their head to a height of over 1.5 m from the ground; grunting warning sound

bites are rare

primarily nocturnal

ground-dwelling

open grasslands or scrubland; plantations, often in rice fields

sturdy body with an average length of 1 m (maximum 1.5 m); body markings consist of dark ovals

repeated, intermittent puffing through the large nostrils; at the same time the body is formed into taut coils

victims are chiefly rural workers, primarily in rice fields

Gloydius sp.

nocturnal in warm weather, diurnal in cool; in cooler regions they hibernate

ground-dwelling

in deserts, semi-deserts and stony regions, but also in forested areas; some species in alpine areas; G. blomhoffii in wet, preferably forested regions and in agricultural areas (rice fields)

sturdy body, generally under 1 m in length

flattening of the body; the tip of the tail is vibrated, which causes a rustling sound in loose substrate (e.g. leaves)

not known

Deinagkistrodon acutus

nocturnal in warm weather, diurnal in cool; in cooler regions they hibernate

ground-dwelling

in forested, hilly and mountainous regions, prefer rocky areas

sturdy body with tapering head; characteristic upturned "horn" on the tip of the snout

the tip of the tail is vibrated, which causes a rustling sound in loose substrate (e.g. leaves)

dangerous snakes that are commonly collected in China for the production of traditional medical remedies; bite victims are often snake catchers

Trimeresurus sp.
Ovophis sp.
Protobothrops sp.  

most species are arboreal (bushes and shrubs), some are ground-dwelling

wooded regions, open areas with bushes and shrubs, parks in cities, gardens

smaller snakes under 1 m; the most important species in medical terms are green, without markings

body is held in an S-shaped coil

common cause of snakebites