Description ³

INTRODUCTION

• Highly Venomous Pit Viper
• Endemic species to Western Ghats and Sri Lanka.
• Causes highest number of bites in Sri Lanka.
• Medically significant venom.
  

IDENTIFICATION

• Triangular head much broader than neck, heat sensing pits between eyes and nostrils
• Snout is pointed and turned upwards ending in a hump.
• The lower lip is usually much darker than the rest of the head.
• Stout body, reddish grey dorsal with brown mottling and row of dark spots.
• Yellowish body with dark mottling, usually grow to 1-2 feet.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

• Found in the Western Ghats in India
• Prefer dense jungles and coffee plantations
• Hide in plain sight in leaf litter, thick bushes and on the ground.

DIET AND BEHAVIOR

• Primarily feed on Frogs, Lizards and Rodents.
• Nocturnal and Terrestrial snakes active during early morning and night.
• Found to Bask near streams during sunrise.
• Slow mover but capable of fast strikes.
• Will vibrate it's tail when threatened and quick to bite.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Yuwaraj Gurjar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Yuwaraj Gurjar
2. (c) Vinay Gogula, all rights reserved, uploaded by Vinay Gogula
3. (c) Vinay Gogula, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HerpMapper
• Snake Database
• The Reptile Database
• VertNet

iNat Map