Gloydius halys


Gloydius halys is a venomous pitviper species found within a wide range that stretches across Asia, from Russia, east of the Urals, eastwards through China. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominotypical form described here.

Description

Gloydius halys grows to a maximum total length of, which was for a female, with an included tail length of. The largest male on record measured in total length, which included a tail length of. The body build is described as moderately stout with a snout that is slightly upturned when viewed from the side.
Dorsally, G. halys is grayish, pale brown, reddish, or yellowish, with large dark spots or crossbars, the borders of which are serrated. One or two lateral series of smaller dark spots are present. There is a wide dark stripe behind the eye, bordered by light stripes both above and below. The venter is whitish, speckled with gray or brown.
The strongly keeled dorsal scales are arranged in 23 rows at midbody. The ventrals number 149-174. The anal plate is entire. The subcaudals number 31-44, and are divided.

Common names

Common names for G. halys include Siberian pit viper, Halys viper, Halys pit viper, Pallas' pit viper, Asiatic pit viper, Asiatic moccasin, shchitomordnik, Pallas' viper, Pallas pit viper, Korean pit viper, Mongolian pit viper.

Geographic range

Gloydius halys is found in Russia, east of the Ural Mountains through Siberia, Iran, Mongolia to northern and central China, as well as the southern Ryukyu Islands of Japan. According to Gloyd and Conant, the type locality given is "Salt Lake near the Lugaskoi Sawod on the Upper Yenisey". Redefined by Bour as "Naryn or Ryn Peski desert, near the Russia-Kazakhstan border".

Subspecies