Detailed Explanation of Key Points on Pit Viper Rearing and Management Techniques

The pit viper, also known as the "earth snake" (Agkistrodon halys), is a small venomous snake distributed throughout China. Besides being used as food, it has high medicinal value. Its breeding stock is easy to obtain and its rearing methods are not difficult, making it a new type of breeding industry for people to get rich.

I. Development and Utilization

Some valuable medicines produced using pit vipers as raw material can treat various difficult and complicated diseases. Currently, the approaches developed and applied by domestic scientific research institutions include: (1) Pit viper venom is the raw material for producing highly effective antithrombotic drugs. (2) Dried snake has effects such as dispelling wind, calming, detoxifying, relieving pain, strengthening the body, and promoting lactation.

Therefore, carrying out artificial rearing of pit vipers has relatively high economic value. Pure dried pit viper venom powder is 20 times the price of gold on the international market, and the domestic price exceeds 1000 yuan per gram.

II. Living Habits

The pit viper has a body length of 60-70 cm, with a head slightly triangular in shape. The dorsal surface is grayish-brown to brown, with a dark "∧"-shaped marking on the top of the head; the ventral surface is grayish-white to grayish-brown, mixed with black spots. It usually moves slowly, and when disturbed, the tip of its tail vibrates. It often inhabits plains, hills, low mountain areas, or fields and stream ditches under piles of rubble or in grass, curling into a coiled or wavy shape. It preys on mice, frogs, lizards, birds, insects, etc. The reproduction, feeding, and activity of the pit viper are all restricted by temperature. Below 10°C, the pit viper almost does not prey; below 5°C, it enters hibernation; 20°C-25°C is the peak feeding period; above 30°C, it burrows into snake holes to rest and generally does not prey. It is frequently active at night, and after the warmth of spring it emerges one after another to seek food.

III. Reproduction Methods

Young snakes reach sexual maturity in 2-3 years and can then reproduce. The reproduction method of the pit viper differs from that of most snakes: it is ovoviviparous. The pit viper embryo develops inside the female snake, and the young snakes born are able to live independently. In this reproductive mode, the embryo can be protected by the mother, so the survival rate is high, which is favorable for artificial rearing. The breeding period is from May to September each year, and each female can give birth to 2-8 young snakes. Newborn young snakes have a body length of 14-19 cm and a body weight of 21-32 g. Newborn young snakes shed their skin 1-2 times in that same year and then enter hibernation.

IV. Rearing Techniques

1. Enclosure Setup: The pit viper rearing enclosure should be built according to the number of snakes being reared. As for rearing density, generally no more than 5 snakes per square meter. Methods include jar rearing, indoor rearing, and outdoor enclosure rearing. For small numbers, jar rearing can be used, and the jar mouth must be fitted with a breathable lid. The general requirements for indoor rearing and enclosure rearing are safety, escape prevention, and harm prevention. The ground and walls should be smoothed with water-resistant plaster to prevent mice from digging holes and snakes from burrowing through and escaping.

2. Rearing Management: The pit viper has a slow metabolism. After eating its fill, it may not eat food for several days or even dozens of days without starving to death, but drinking water must be provided. The pit viper is a carnivorous animal and mainly feeds on small animals. Fish, frogs, mice, insects, pieces of meat, birds, chicken and duck eggs, etc. can be placed into the rearing enclosure for the pit viper to swallow at any time. Insect-attracting lamps can also be set up in the rearing enclosure to lure insects for the snakes to prey on. The teeth of the pit viper have no chewing ability, and food is swallowed whole into the stomach and digested by highly effective gastric juices. The rearing enclosure must be kept clean and hygienic, cleaned promptly, and diseased snakes and dead snakes removed. Drinking water in the pool must be changed frequently. It is best for the keeper to receive training, and strict precautions must be taken to prevent pit viper bites (snakebite medicine should be kept ready).

3. Overwintering Protection: Protecting pit vipers through the winter is very important. No matter what method is adopted, mouse damage must be strictly prevented, and the temperature of the overwintering site must be checked frequently to prevent snakes from freezing injuries. Before hibernation, sufficient food should be provided to increase the snake's nutrient reserves and create good conditions for safe overwintering. The following methods can be used to protect pit vipers through the winter safely. (1) Sand container overwintering method. Spread a layer of fine sand 20 cm thick in a wooden box. Place a layer of hibernating pit vipers on the sand, then spread another 20 cm of fine sand, then place another layer of snakes, repeating this until the wooden box is full and covered, then place the wooden box in a cellar at 0°C-2°C. When spring comes the next year, move the snake box into the rearing enclosure and let the snakes crawl out. (2) Drilling holes and building nests for overwintering method. In the rearing enclosure, use an iron rod to drill deep holes for the pit vipers to crawl into for overwintering, then cover the hole openings with 20 cm of soil. When spring comes the next year, remove the covering soil and let the snakes crawl out naturally. (3) Digging pits and piling stones for overwintering method. In the rearing enclosure, dig a pit 1.5-2 m deep, pile rubble, weeds, etc. inside it, and after the snakes crawl into the stone crevices to hibernate, cover with 20 cm of soil. After spring comes, remove the covering soil, and the snakes will crawl out naturally.

V. Collection of Snake Venom

To protect venomous snake resources, live snake venom extraction should be adopted. Here the self-biting venom extraction method is introduced. In this method, the left hand grasps the snake's neck, and the right hand inserts a venom container into the snake's mouth, causing the snake by instinct to bite the venom container fiercely and prompting it to release venom. Newly collected snake venom should immediately be dried with a vacuum desiccator so that its moisture content does not exceed 5%, to prevent the snake venom from spoiling and deteriorating. The dried venom powder can be tightly wrapped in black paper or tin foil and stored in a dry place for sale. Pit viper venom should not be collected too frequently; once a month is appropriate, and it can be collected 6-7 times a year. Venom must not be collected during hibernation. When collecting venom, strict precautions must be taken to prevent venomous snake bites. If injury occurs, emergency self-rescue measures should be taken immediately, and as soon as possible go to a hospital at or above the county level to receive pit viper antivenom serum injection to ensure safety.