Facts About the Sumatran Pit Viper

The Sumatran pit viper has a limited range in southeast Asia. Not much information exists about its habits because it represents a rare species.

Range

The range of the Sumatran pit viper includes Borneo, Sumatra and the Malaysian peninsula.

Appearance

The Sumatran pit viper has black bands on a large green body. A white stripe runs along each side, the stomach is light green and the tail is reddish brown. Young snakes have white irises that darken to copper in adults.

Toxicity

No one knows exactly how much venom the Sumatran pit viper produces, but its long one-inch fangs and large body size suggest a highly toxic species.

Prey

The Sumatran pit viper probably eats small mammals and birds in nature. In captivity, the viper eats mice, according to NatureMalaysia.com.

Feeding Habits

The Sumatran pit viper probably feeds at night. All pit vipers in Malaysia have nocturnal habits, generally spending the day in trees and descending at night to feed.

References

• Nature Malyasia: Sumatran Pit Viper
• Nature Malyasia: Pit Vipers