The snake, whose scientific name is protobothrops mangshanensis, has a triangular head and dark brown body dotted with yellowish green or rust-colored spots, but its tail is white. Although it looks beautiful, it is actually the 50th species of poisonous snake discovered in 1989 and is unique to China.

In Hunan, this viper is mainly found in Mangshan Mountain of Yizhang County. There are only about 500 such snakes in China, even rarer than giant pandas.