White-lipped Pit Viper
Trimeresurus albolabris
Description
The White-lipped Pit Viper is a beautiful bright green pit viper with a distinctive white or pale yellow stripe along the lower lip. Males may also display a white and red-brown stripe along the body. This arboreal viper is found in Northeast India.
Its hemotoxic venom causes pain, swelling, and bruising. While bites can be serious and require medical attention, fatalities are uncommon. The venom primarily serves to immobilize small prey.
White-lipped Pit Vipers are nocturnal hunters that ambush prey from tree branches. They feed on frogs, lizards, small birds, and rodents. The species is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to 6-11 live young. Their bright green coloration provides excellent camouflage in the lush forests of Northeast India.