# Behavior and Activity Patterns of the Critically Endangered Mangshan Pit Viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis) Determined Using Remote Monitoring

## TL;DR

Researchers studied the behavior of the rare Mangshan pit viper in China to help protect it, finding it has three daily activity peaks and is semi-arboreal.

## Contribution

The study identifies the Mangshan pit viper as semi-arboreal and reveals three daily activity peaks linked to environmental factors.

## Key findings

- The Mangshan pit viper has three daily activity peaks at 5:00–7:00, 9:00–11:00, and 18:00–20:00, possibly related to feeding and sunbathing.
- Humidity is a key environmental factor influencing the snake's activity patterns.
- The species is classified as semi-arboreal, using both terrestrial and arboreal habitats.

## Abstract

Studying the behavior of animals is very important for their survival and protection. The Mangshan pit viper, a rare and endangered snake species from China, needs urgent conservation due to its very low population in the wild. To help with its conservation, we studied the behavior of 15 Mangshan pit vipers observed at different sites in Hunan Province during the summer and autumn of 2021. We looked at how environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and light affect the snakes’ activity during the day and night. We found that the snakes had specific behaviors like resting, sunbathing, moving, and others. The species exhibits three daily activity peaks, with the highest activity observed at 5:00–7:00, 9:00–11:00, and 18:00–20:00, which might be related to finding food and sunbathing. In addition, our research has found that the Mangshan pit viper is not a completely terrestrial or arboreal species, and in our study, this species is classified as semi-arboreal. We also found that humidity was a key factor influencing the snakes’ activity. There were small differences in behavior between the 15 snakes, but snakes from different habitats behaved differently. Our study helps us understand the Mangshan pit viper’s behavior better and provides information for developing effective conservation measures for this rare species.

This study focuses on understanding the behavior and activity patterns of the critically endangered Protobothrops mangshanensis in China in order to better provide scientific data for upcoming artificial breeding and propagation efforts. We conducted a long-term observation of 15 Mangshan pit vipers at different sites in Hunan Province during the summer and autumn of 2021. Our methods involved analyzing the influence of environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and light condition on the snakes’ day and night activity and behaviors. The results revealed that the wild behaviors of Protobothrops mangshanensis include resting, sunbathing, crawling, and exploring, with distinct rhythms in their diel behavior. The snakes’ diel activity exhibits three peak periods which may be related to food activity and sunbathing. This study also highlights the complex interplay of environmental factors on the activity of Protobothrops mangshanensis. Relative humidity was identified as a critical factor accounting for the difference in activity between observation groups. There was little inter-individual variation among the 15 Protobothrops mangshanensis, even though these snakes used terrestrial and arboreal habitats under different environmental conditions. These findings enhance our understanding of Protobothrops mangshanensis behavior and provide a basis for effective conservation measures for this rare and critically endangered species.