Trimeresurus elegans is a venomous pitviper species found in Japan in the southern Ryukyu Islands. No subspecies are currently recognized. The species is aggressive with large fangs. It can strike at over one half the length of its body.
Scalation includes 25 (sometimes 23) rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 179-192 or 182-196 ventral scales, 63-90 subcaudal scales and 8 (sometimes 7 or 9) supralabial scales.
