Trimeresurus albolabris
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Identification
Family: Viperidae
Scientific Names: Bothrops erythrurus, Coluber gramineus, Cryptelytrops albolabris, Lachesis gramineus, L. g. albolabris, L. grammineus, Trigonocephlus viridis, Trimeresurus albolabris albolabris, T. bicolor, T. gramineus, T. g. albolabris, T. purpureomaculatus var. bicolor
Common Names: White-lipped pitviper, white-lipped tree viper, white-lipped green pit viper, Weisslippen-Bambusotter, green bamboo pitviper
Description
Medium-sized, long, thin arboreal, pitviper w/ triangular head, distinct from neck; adults usually 40-60 cm long (max. 100 cm). Body uniformly green, varies from yellowish-green to bright grass-green. May have darker crossbands. Belly greenish, yellow or white; 21 midbody dorsal scale rows. Head w/ a pair of heat-sensing pits between nostrils & eyes, & w/ a pair of hinged (folding) upper front fangs.
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Habitat
Found mainly in open tropical forests or bamboo thickets, & cultivated land, at low elevations. Often found around human habitations & in gardens. Rather widespread in southeastern Asia.
Activity and Behavior
Mainly nocturnal & arboreal; rarely seen on ground except after dark. Usually slow moving, especially during the daytime, & not aggressive except when disturbed. Ovovivipaous w/ 4-25 neonates/ litter reported. Preys mainly on frogs, lizards, small birds & rodents.
Venom Characteristics
Mainly hemotoxic. Symptoms may include local pain, swelling, bruising, & tender enlargement of local lymph nodes. Systemic symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, gastrointestinal bleeding, & hematuria. Bites common, but few reported human deaths.
Trimeresurus