Reptiles
Japanese Mamushi
Gloydius blomhoffii · also called mamushi
On a mossy path beside a terraced rice field in rural Japan, a mamushi lies coiled in the leaf litter, its brown rings blending with the dead leaves.
Overview
The Japanese mamushi, Gloydius blomhoffii, is a Least Concern pit viper of forests, fields, rice paddies, and rocky slopes across Japan and parts of the nearby Asian mainland. Its small size, brown rings, and closeness to farmland make it Japan’s most familiar venomous snake.
A snake of the rice fields
Mamushi hunt mice and frogs around rice paddies, bringing them into contact with farmers and walkers, which is why they cause so many bites.
Status
Least Concern, widespread across much of Japan.
Japanese Mamushi: common questions
Is the mamushi dangerous?
Its venom causes pain, swelling, and bleeding problems, and any bite needs urgent medical treatment, although it is small and shy.
What is mamushi liquor?
It is a traditional Japanese tonic made by steeping the snake in alcohol, long used in folk medicine.
How big is the mamushi?
It is a small snake, usually around 50 to 65 cm long.
Where is the Japanese mamushi found?
It lives in forests, fields, rice paddies, and rocky slopes across Japan and parts of the nearby Asian mainland.