Bamboo Pit Viper (Trimeresurus gramineus) | Snake | Wildkeeda

 

 Bamboo Pit Viper (Trimeresurus gramineus) | Snake | Wildkeeda

 Bamboo Pit Viper

Trimeresurus gramineus

  VENOMOUS

At birth 160 mm (6in)

Adults 400mm (16in) Maximum 1135mm (45 in)

Description

Scales smooth or upper rows weakly keeled. Triangular head distinctly broader than neck, scales on upper surface of head small. Eye has vertical pupil. Heat sensitive pit between nostril and eye. Tail short, prehensile. Usually grass green above. occasionally yellow or olive brown, sometimes with a usually faint, blackish-brown, uneven pattern. Lip scales and underside yellow, white or pale green. A dark streak may be present behind eye.

Scalation

Scales in 21 : 21 : 15 rows, smooth, or upper rows weakly keeled. Ventrals: males 145-175, females 164-177. Anal entire. Subcaudals: males 55-71, females 57-62; paired. Upper head scales small, more or less equal, subimbricate, smooth: supraoculars narrow, entire, 8-11 scales on a line between them; internasals separated by 1 or 2 small scales. Supralabials 10-12, first completely separated from nasal; 2 rows of scales between supralabials and elongate subocular. Temporal scales small, smooth. Juvenile found in Maharashtra on 21 June 2000 had 21:21: 15 scale rows: ventrals 169 (147-149 umbilical scar): anal entire; subcaudals 57, paired. Scales between supraoculars 9; supralabials 12: scales below elongate subocular and supralabials in two rows; preoculars 3: postoculars 2.

Natural History/ Behavior

Nocturnal, Usually found in hill forests; a few populations are found near sea level. Found on low bushes, often near stream edges. In the dry season may stay in the same bush for two months for more. During the monsoons, we have seen them on the ground at night hunting frogs. Feeds on frogs, lizards, small birds like sunbirds, and small rodents. Females bear 4-15 young in June July. When alarmed, may vibrate tail rapidly. Slow but capable of fast strikes. Bites cause pain and swelling; a bite to the head caused severe local symptoms for several days.

Distribution

Endemic to India. Western Ghats - the northernmost limit probably being the Dangs in Gujarat. Occurs in the Eastern Ghats, including the Shevaroy, and Javadi Hills. Usually found above 450m (1480fi). Also recorded from near sea level at Tamil Nadu (Gingee) and Maharashtra Phansad, Borivali National Park).

Look-alikes

Other green pit vipers. Green Keelback.