Shedao island pit viper

Around 1938, Koba estimated about one snake for every square metre on the south-eastern part of the island.1

Researchers have found individual snakes waiting in ambush that already held two or three freshly swallowed birds.1

Larger snakes also scavenge birds that smaller snakes have struck and killed but are too small to eat.1

The snakes are only active during the months when migrating birds visit the island, and are inactive for the rest of the year.1

In 1982, Huang counted about 9,100 to 11,500 snakes on the island during spring and autumn, when the snakes were active.1