Wagler's Pit Viper

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This is the most commonly encountered vipers in the rainforest, usually seen laying still on low branches in the understorey. Wagler’s Pit Viper (Tropidolaemus wagleri) is a beautiful venomous snake with a docile disposition for it seldom attempt to bite. The effect of the venom is comparatively mild to humans and most bites lead to localized swelling and not fatal. In the island of Penang at the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, they are left freely within a temple, thus their different name−Temple Snake.

wagler's pit viper, tropidolaemus wagleri, temple viper, venomous snakes, picture of snakes
Adult Wagler's Pit Viper

Thick bodied, dark green to almost black above and yellow below, adult Wagler’s Pit Viper can reach up to a meter in length. The much slenderer juvenile has different coloration with lighter green above dotted regularly with white and reddish spots, which contrast with the white underparts, and a distinct reddish line runs across its eyes.

juvenile wagler's pit viper, tropidolaemus wagleri, viviparous snakes
Juvenile Wagler's Pit Viper

The name pit viper refers to the heat sensing organs located between the eyes and nostrils. This enables them to detect prey several feet away via heat recognition even in complete darkness. In contrast to oviparous snakes that lay eggs, Wagler’s Pit Viper is a viviparous snake, giving birth to more than a dozen live young.

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