There are a total of 28 species of pit viper in the world. The white-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) is one among the same family. They are known as Cryptelytrops albolabris, formerly as Trimeresurus albolabris. Most pit vipers are endemic to Southeast Asia.
The white-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) is endemic to India, in specific northeast India, and also Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand. They are also spotted in certain national parks and conservation centers. They belong to the genus Trimeresurus.
The white-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) is a carnivore that feeds on birds, rats, and other smaller-sized animals. The white-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) is a venomous snake and is in turn eaten by predator birds like the peregrine and falcon.
When predator birds consume them as prey, they get degraded by their stomach acid, making white-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) edible for the birds. Female snakes tend to be longer as compared to male snakes.
The white-lipped green pit viper is mostly solitary and sedentary in nature. Read on to discover more.
For more relatable content, check out these puff adder and gray rat snake facts.
White-Lipped Pit Viper Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a white-lipped pit viper?
The Trimeresurus albolabris, white-lipped pit viper, is a type of snake and is an ambush predator that feeds on smaller birds, lizards, and frogs.
What class of animal does a white-lipped pit viper belong to?
The Trimeresurus albolabris, white-lipped pit viper, is a snake that belongs to class Reptilia, family Viperidae, and genus Trimeresurus.
How many white-lipped pit vipers are there in the world?
Snake species, Trimeresurus albolabris, white-lipped pit vipers' exact population in the world is not evaluated. Trimeresurus albolabris, or the green pit viper, is found primarily in southern China and the Asian subcontinent. The pit viper is found in most national parks and conservation centers. You could visit pit viper species in national parks located in your region.
Where does a white-lipped pit viper live?
Snake species, Trimeresurus albolabris, white-lipped island pit viper has its range in the woods. The white-lipped red-eye pit viper hunts during the late hours when it can find its prey easily. Trimeresurus albolabris is seen largely in the south Asian continent in parts like northeast Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and southern China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.
What is a white-lipped pit viper's habitat?
The white-lipped island pit viper habitat consists of tree branches and resides in cooler areas. Trimeresurus albolabris avoid extreme heat and are quick in attacking their prey. Trimeresurus albolabris are sedentary beings and prefer residing by themselves and come together only during mating.
Who do white-lipped pit vipers live with?
Trimeresurus albolabris are pit vipers who prefer living solitarily. They coexist with other wild species and range in trees. The white-lipped pit viper lethal venom is not harmful towards birds who consume them as the venom affects the blood vessels but not once it is ingested since the stomach acid digests it.
How long does a white-lipped pit viper live?
The white-lipped tree viper average lifespan is from 9-11 years. The oldest snake in the world is the ball python and lived 62 years.
How do they reproduce?
Tree viper white-lipped breeding season begins in May. The tree viper (white-lipped) is largely viviparous and gives birth to 10-20 young. The gestation period lasts 129-157 days.
The young snakelet usually develops within the adult female, and the female is protective of her offspring. Female snakes are usually most involved in raising the young. In most instances, snakes lay eggs, for example, the rainbow snake.
What is their conservation status?
These arboreal snakes are classified as Least Concern species by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN).
White-Lipped Pit Viper Fun Facts
What do white-lipped pit vipers look like?
White-lipped pit vipers are green above and besides their head, and below their eyes is yellow, white, or pale green. The pale green on the side of their head is much lighter than the rest of the head. Their eyes are yellow to orange. Both males and females have yellow eyes.
A light ventrolateral stripe is present in most males but is not seen in females. The tail end is not mottled brown. Females tend to be longer in length as compared to males.
How cute are they?
These vipers are not cute, but they are exotic species. They are venomous vipers, and hence it's safe to keep a safe distance while observing them in national parks or conservation centers. This snake feeds primarily on birds and insects.
How do they communicate?
The lipped tree viper (white) makes use of its pheromones with other vipers. Vipers are largely solitary beings and hence communicate less compared to other animals. Vipers communicate similarly to snakes through hissing.
How big is a white-lipped pit viper?
White-lipped pit viper males' total length is 23.6 in (61 cm) and females' is 39 in (81 cm), which is two times bigger than worm snake which is 13-14 in (33-35.5 cm). Both male's and female's bites are equally poisonous.
How fast can a white-lipped pit viper move?
White-lipped pit vipers are largely sedentary and tend to move less. They are quick to attack, and their bites are venomous. The black mamba is the fastest and deadliest snake. It possesses venom, which can be fatal. It is gray to black colored. The gray highlights on its scales predominantly, however, have an overall black appearance.
How much does a white-lipped pit viper weigh?
The white-lipped pit viper weighs 15 lb (7 kg). Their distribution is scarce in other parts of the world except in Asia.
What are the male and female names of the species?
Male and female vipers are not addressed differently. One light ventrolateral stripe is present in all males; however, it is absent in females species.
What would you call a baby white-lipped pit viper?
Baby white-lipped pit vipers range in small secluded regions. Baby vipers are called snakelets. These species develop inside the mother's womb and are born as young snakes.
What do they eat?
White-lipped pit vipers are carnivorous and feed on food close to their range. Their range is in trees in the forests. The white-lipped pit viper eats amphibians like frogs, insects, and birds.
Are they poisonous?
The snake bite is venomous. It can kill humans if the venom enters the blood. The snakes bite and release venom into their prey; they hold onto their prey until it's completely dead. Birds that consume them bite into the snake, and the venom they produce is digested by the acids in their stomach, making it ineffective.
Would they make a good pet?
No, these species are innately wild beings and not fit to be adopted as pets. It's best to observe these species in parks or conservation centers.
They are native to the south Asian continents. There are certainly other species of snakes that can be adopted, like the worm snake who is suitable to be owned by first-time owners as well.
Did you know...
The Trimeresurus albolabris is often confused with the Salazar's pit viper. Salazar's pit viper has an orange stripe along its head and body. The researchers who discovered the species named them after the wizard Salazar Slytherin as a token of appreciation for the series author J.K. Rowling.
In a study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh, they found that all vipers in America are pit vipers, according to the ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Kaeng krachan national park is located in Thailand, and you could visit it to see these exotic beings. The Kaeng krachan national park is a popular park which is a popular tourist destination. Kaeng krachan national park is also a bird-watching site.
The island white-lipped pit viper is often hunted as food and used in traditional medicines made by different tribes or communities.
Is the white-lipped pit viper endangered?
The white-lipped pit viper is classified as a Least Concern species by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN). Other species of pit viper too are widely seen in different regions of the world.
How did the white-lipped pit viper get its name?
A white-lipped pit viper is known as the white-lipped green pit viper and white-lipped tree viper. The name 'viper' is derived from Latin, which translates to animals that are viviparous in nature, i.e.
give birth to young like the viper snakes do. The word pit viper comes from the heat sensing glands located on the sides of their head. This viper is white-lipped, and this helps distinguish them from other species.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles from our carpet python facts and vine snake facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our White-Lipped Pit Viper coloring pages.