Snakes are a species of reptile that is widely distributed around the world, and some snakes are highly venomous and can threaten human life. However, there are also snakes that have become treasures for scientific research and collection because of their rarity and uniqueness. In China, there is a venomous snake known as the "giant panda among snakes", which is the Mangshan soldering iron head.
Mangshan soldering iron head is a newly discovered venomous snake, its scientific name is protospearhead pit viper, which belongs to the viper family. Its English name is Mangshan pit viper, which means the pit snake of Mangshan, because it has a pair of thermoreceptors on its head that can detect the body temperature of its prey. Its Chinese name is a combination of the place where it was found and the shape of its head, Mangshan is a nature reserve in Hunan Province.
The size of the Mangshan soldering iron head is very large, and it is currently the largest venomous snake in the world. With an average body length of more than 2 meters and a weight of more than 3 kilograms, the largest individual can reach 17.75 kilograms, which is heavier than the heaviest venomous snake in the Guinness Book of World Records. Its white tail is its bait, and it wiggles its tail to attract animals such as frogs or birds closer, and then suddenly opens its mouth wide and bites its prey, infusing it with highly venomous venom.
The venom of the Mangshan soldering iron tip is a mixed poison, the main components are thrombin and neurotoxin. Although it is not as venomous as famous venomous snakes such as the silver krait and king cobra, it is also deadly. It detoxifies a very large amount of venom and can excrete more than 100 mg of venom at a time, while the lethal dose to humans is only 48 mg.
After being bitten by it, the wound will have severe pain, edema, bleeding, necrosis and other symptoms, and the whole body will have nausea, vomiting, dizziness, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, blood pressure drop, muscle paralysis and other toxic reactions, if not treated in time, you may die due to respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.
The Mangshan soldering iron head is a species endemic to China, and its population is very rare, estimated to be only 300 to 500 in the world, and it is known as the "giant panda among snakes".
It also lives in a very special environment, it likes to live in the mountains at an altitude of 800 to 1,200 meters, with a temperature between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, a humidity of more than 80%, and plenty of water and vegetation. It is a nocturnal animal that hides in tree holes, rock crevices, mounds and other places during the day, and only comes out at night to prey on small animals such as frogs, birds, and rodents.
The Mangshan soldering iron head is a very precious venomous snake, which is not only an important object of scientific research, but also a dream of collectors. Its discovery caused a sensation at home and abroad, and many people wanted to see this mysterious snake with their own eyes, and some even wanted to buy this snake at a huge cost.
It is said that in the 90s of the last century, the price of Mangshan soldering iron tips on the international black market was as high as 1 million US dollars, and it was known as "the most expensive poisonous snake in the world". Due to the rampant illegal hunting and smuggling, the number of Mangshan soldering iron heads has been further reduced, and there is even an incident where a 2.5-kilogram Mangshan soldering iron head was stolen.
In order to protect this rare species, the Chinese government and relevant departments have taken a series of measures. In 1996, the Mangshan soldering iron head was listed as a red endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and in 1997, it was listed as a national first-class protected animal by China. At the same time, the Mangshan Soldering Iron Head Nature Reserve has been established to effectively protect and manage the habitat of the Mangshan Soldering Iron Head, and no one is allowed to enter or capture the Mangshan Soldering Iron Head.
In addition, the artificial breeding and rescue work of Mangshan soldering iron heads was also carried out, which increased the population of Mangshan soldering iron heads and improved the survival rate of Mangshan soldering iron heads. At the same time, the scientific research on the Mangshan soldering iron head was also strengthened, revealing the biological characteristics, ecological habits, venom composition, genetic variation and other aspects of the Mangshan soldering iron head, which provided a scientific basis for the protection and utilization of the Mangshan soldering iron head.
The Mangshan soldering iron head is a peculiar poisonous snake that is not only a national treasure of China, but also a wonder of the world. Its existence shows the diversity and mystery of nature, and also brings endless surprises and revelations to human beings. We should respect and cherish the Mangshan soldering iron head, protect its living environment, and let it live safely on this beautiful earth.