Kham Plateau Pitviper

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Protobothrops xiangchengensis (commonly known as Kham Plateau Pitviper) is native to Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China, where it inhabits cold alpine forests, high-altitude meadows, and rocky terrains.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Viperidae, genus Protobothrops. It is studied for its unique venom genetics and specialized physiological adaptations.

Behavior and Habits: Predominantly terrestrial, solitary, and nocturnal. It spends most of the day camouflaged in leaf litter or under shelters waiting for prey.

Morphology: Adults reach an average size of 80.0 cm. Males typically exhibit longer tails than adult females.

Terrarium Setup: Requires an escape-proof terrarium of at least 150 liters with natural loose substrate and secure hiding spots.

Lighting and Heating: Carnivorous diet consisting of properly sized rodents fed via long feeding tongs. Supplement with vitamins.

Humidity and Hydration: Keep ambient temperatures at 12.0-24.0°C with a basking spot of 24.0°C. Provide low UVB.

Feeding and Supplementation: Solitary species, must be housed individually. Keeping multiple snakes together leads to severe stress.

Compatibility: Breeding is difficult in captivity, requiring a cooling period and careful introduction under supervision.

Health and Common Diseases: Prone to respiratory tract infections if ventilation is poor, and blister disease if the substrate is excessively wet.