Black-speckled palm-pit viper

Appearance

Adults may exceed 80 centimetres, although most are less than 60 centimetres in length. They are relatively slender and have a prehensile tail. Two exceptionally large females were reported by Hammack and Antonio that measured 89.2 centimetres and 93.7 centimetres.

The color pattern usually consists of an emerald green ground color with strong black mottling. There may also be pale green dorsal blotches that have black edges. The belly is yellowish green and lightly mottled with black. The head is heavily mottled with black on top, often with black parietal stripes. There is also a clearly defined postocular stripe running back towards the angle of the jaw. The iris is heavily stippled and appears almost black. The tongue is also black. Juveniles have a similar color pattern, although it is more pale and the tip of the tail is black.

Naming

Black-speckled palm-pitviper, speckled palm viper, black-spotted palm viper, yellow-spotted palm viper.

Habitat

This species inhabits high montane forest and lower montane wet forest and cloud forest. It has a limited range and is generally considered relatively rare, even though it is locally common in habitat that has not been disturbed. However, Picado mentioned that they soon disappear from cultivated areas.

Defense

Fatalities have been reported, with the bite symptoms including intense pain, nausea and asphyxia.