This Asian pitviper is related to the copperhead and cottonmouth found here in Missouri. It lives in a wide variety of habitats ranging from rice paddies to rocky hillsides. The mamushi feeds on frogs, lizards, snakes, birds and rodents. In recent years, thousands of these pitvipers have been shipped from China to Japan for folk medicine and whiskey making. This harvest is taking its toll on the wild populations.

Did You Know?

This snake is venomous.