Wirot's Pit Viper
Trimeresurus wiroti
A green arboreal pit viper found in forests of Thailand and the Malay Peninsula, named after Thai herpetologist Wirot Nutaphand.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-0.9 m (2-3 ft)
- Range
- Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia
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Overview
Wirot's pit viper is a member of the diverse green pit viper group native to mainland Southeast Asia. It is named for Thai herpetologist Wirot Nutaphand, who contributed significantly to the documentation of Thai reptiles.
It occupies forest habitats where it hunts from vegetation, using its heat-sensing pits and cryptic green coloration to ambush prey.
How to identify it
- Green dorsum, often with a pale lateral line
- Triangular head, vertical pupils
- Keeled scales
- Reddish tail tip in some individuals
- Separated from similar green pitvipers by subtle scale counts and hemipenial morphology
Habitat & range
Found in lowland and hill evergreen forests of Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia, often near streams and in dense understory vegetation.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and arboreal, coiling on low branches by day and hunting at night. Preys on frogs, lizards, and small mammals. Ambush predator relying on heat-sensing pits. Viviparous reproduction.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wirot's pit viper venomous?
Yes, it is a venomous pit viper.
Who is it named after?
It is named after Thai herpetologist Wirot Nutaphand.
Where is it found?
In forests of Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia.
What does it eat?
Frogs, lizards, and small mammals.
Wirot's Pit Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Wirot's Pit Viper.
