Malabar Pit Viper
Craspedocephalus malabaricus
Malabar pit vipers are found in the rainforests of Western Ghats in India. These highly venomous snakes are seen in the wet season, then they disappear in the dry months. Along with being strikingly beautiful, they are very patient and skilful hunters. These nocturnal ambush predators, wait at the same spot, sometimes even for days together, waiting for prey to come to them.
During a herping excursion in Agumbe, spotted this viper gulping down a Common Tree Frog, an incredible natural history moment. It was particularly interesting to observe how the viper used its independently moving fangs to inject venom as well as pull the frog inside while expanding its jaws. It took about 15-20min to swallow the whole frog.
'Malabar Pit Viper in habitat'
This stealthy predator is tremendously adapted to its rainforest habitat. It uses its camouflage well to seamlessly stalk in foliage as well as the forest understory.
'Malabar Pit Viper in habitat'
'Malabar Pit Viper head details'it
'Malabar Pit Viper body details'it
Northern Western Ghats Vine Snake
Ahaetulla borealis
Green vine snakes are mildly venomous and excellently adapted to their arboreal life. As their name suggests they look exactly like vines, bright green and thin, and can be difficult to spot in habitat. One peculiar characteristic is the horizontal pupil. Watching them move on trees with guile is a delight!
'Vine snake head details'
'Vine snake in habitat'
'Vine snake body details'
This slender bodied snake has mastered the arboreal life. It moves and hunts on trees with immaculate stealth and ease.
'Vine snake body details'
Bamboo Pit Viper
Craspedocephalus gramineus
Bamboo pit vipers are nocturnal ambush predators. They hold on to branches with their tails and wait for their prey to come to them. Even though vipers are relatively slow movers, once the prey is in range they strike with lightening fast speed. Highly venomous.
'Bamboo Pit Viper ambush posture'
'Bamboo Pit Viper moving through foliage'
Snakes use their forked tongue constantly to collect chemicals from air. The tongue itself doesn't have any receptors. These chemical signals are transferred to the Jacobson's organ by the tongue to gain information from the chemical signals collected.