TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An endangered 100-pace viper was caught on Monday (July 1) inside a residence in Taitung’s Luanshan Tribal Village, with news reaching the Ministry of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which sought the viper for anti-venom purposes.

A closer inspection of the 100-pace viper revealed a slight injury to its upturned nose. Snake expert Tsai Wei-yi (蔡緯毅) said the viper injured itself while attempting to strike him, mainly for intimidation purposes. He said 100-pace vipers typically bite only when necessary.

Tai said the viper was otherwise very healthy, judging from its bright skin and activity. He said the 100-pace viper has become rare, as in the first six months of last year, he caught five, while during the same period this year, he has only caught one, per CNA. 

Chiang Wen-che (江玟徹), an expert from the CDC along with a veterinarian from the Ministry of Agriculture, drove to Taitung upon learning the news. 

Chiang said the 100-pace viper is endangered and rarely seen in Taiwan. Furthermore, the 100-pace vipers raised by the CDC are all nearly 10 years old, an age when they are typically retired from active service. The CDC currently has four such vipers, though there is a need for new, younger snakes to be mixed in to update the pool of venom used to produce much-needed medicine.

The last trip he made to Taitung to collect such a viper took place some seven years ago according to Chiang. Although they are becoming increasingly rare, leading to few chances that the public could be bitten, it is still necessary for the CDC to produce the anti-venom.

After the 100-pace viper is brought back to Taipei, it will be quarantined for two months, and then placed in a traditional snake enclosure, with snake venom collected twice a year.