Leaf Nose Pit Viper

Southeast Asia Snakes

Snakes ~ Vipers ~ Leaf Nose Pit Viper

The leaf-nose pit-viper occurs throughout Southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia in lowland rainforest, but it is considered an uncommon species. This pit-viper is semi-arboreal and thick-bodied, though it does not grow very long. The rostral scales extend like a blunt fork, giving the appearance of a leaf protruding from its snout. On the dorsum and flanks are a series of dark mottled bands while the tail tip is dull brown and blunt. The ventrals are greyish red and patches of faint white colouration may occur one or two scales above.

Males have vivid green colouration with the same type of patterning while females may be greyish brown to yellowish green. This viper species is highly aggressive and can sometimes be found hidden within deep bushes and shrubs. Bites from this species are very rare, but the venom should be considered highly-dangerous due to the author's experience. In the wild, the leaf-nose viper hunts frogs, lizards and small mammals for prey. Other subspecies of the leaf nose viper occur in Southeast Asia, including Borneo and Indonesia (Java and Sumatra).