Cameron Highlands Pit Viper

Appearance

Its body colour is an intense green above, with a slight bluish tinge : this tinge is more apparent at the margin of the dorsal body scales. Ventrally the body scales are yellowish.

The species lacks the adornments of other green-coloured pit-vipers : it has no coloured streak behind the eye, and generally no lateral stripes along the flanks. The dorsal part of the tail, however, is brown in colour.

Naming

Named after the Latin adjective nebularis, meaning “from the clouds”, in allusion to the cloudy montane rainforests, or cloud forests, inhabited by this species.

Distribution

West Malaysia (Cameron Highlands, endemic), Thailand

Type locality: Gunung Brinchang [now Gunung Batu Berinchang], Cameron Highlands, State of Pahang, West Malaysia.

Behavior

It is nocturnal and feeds on frogs, lizards and small mammals.

Habitat

This species is found in low vegetation in montane forests.

Uses

This species is exploited for the pet trade.