Bamboo pit vipers are venomous vipers found in India. They are known by several other names, like bamboo snakes, the Indian tree vipers, the Indian green pit vipers, and the common green pit vipers. They are called pit vipers because they have heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils on both sides of their head.
Scientific Classifications
- Suborder:Serpentes
- Family:Viperidae
- Genus:Craspedocephalus
- Species:C. gramineus
Conservation Status
Subspecies
Bamboo pit vipers have two subspecies:
- Chen’s Pit Viper (T. s. chenbihuii)
- Stejneger’s Pit Viper (T. s. stejnegeri)
Description
Size
They can grow up to 39 inches (99 cm).
Color and Appearance
Bamboo pit vipers have a small and light body. Their eyes are red with vertical pupils. They possess retractable fangs that can inject venom deeply into the human body. Their most distinguishing feature is their heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostril.
Are They Dangerous to Humans
These snakes have neurotoxic and hemotoxic venom, which are harmful to humans.
Bamboo Pit Viper at a Glance
Distribution
Bamboo pit vipers mainly occur in southern India, covering much of the state of Tamil Nadu.
Habitat
These vipers live in bamboo groves and forests, mostly near streams. They also reside in dry scrub forests.
Predators
Large mammals and birds like peregrine falcons feed on bamboo pit vipers.
Diet
The diet of bamboo pit vipers includes birds, frogs, lizards, and small rodents.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous in nature, their eggs are incubated inside the mother, who gives live birth to snakelets. They can give birth to 6-11 young ones in one litter.
Similar Species
Greater Green Snake
These non-venomous snakes look a lot like bamboo pit vipers. The shape of the head and eyes can distinguish the two. The head of greater green snakes is small, while that of bamboo pit vipers is big. Greater green snakes have golden eyes with round pupils, whereas bamboo pit vipers have red eyes with vertical pupils.
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