A striking species of venomous snake, is native to the lush and diverse ecosystems of the Philippines. The Philippine pit viper thrives in the dense, humid rainforests of the islands, where it blends seamlessly into its surroundings thanks to its vibrant and distinctive coloring.

The Philippine pit viper’s body is robust and muscular, well-adapted for its arboreal lifestyle—that is, living primarily in trees. Its scales are keeled, giving them a slightly rough texture, and are usually a bright green or yellowish-green color, providing excellent camouflage among the leaves and branches where it spends much of its time. Some individuals may also display patches or streaks of other colors, such as red, yellow, or blue, adding to their dramatic appearance.

One of the most interesting features of this viper is its “pit” organs located between the eyes and nostrils on its face. These pits are heat-sensing organs that allow the snake to detect warm-blooded prey, even in complete darkness. This sensory adaptation is particularly useful for hunting at night, as it helps the snake to locate birds, small mammals, and even other reptiles in the dense foliage.

The Philippine pit viper is primarily nocturnal, active during the night when the forest is cooler and less busy with human activity. It is an excellent climber and often waits in a coiled position on branches, ready to strike at unsuspecting prey that passes by. The snake’s venom is hemotoxic, which means it can disrupt blood clotting and cause tissue damage. While venomous, its bite is generally not fatal to humans, but it can still cause severe pain and swelling, and medical attention is recommended if bitten.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Philippines

LC

2021