Sri Lankan Green pit Viper

This medium-sized snake has a robust body and a distinctive triangular head. Equipped with loreal pits it can sense heat, making it easy to locate prey and predators. Its body coloration blends well with its natural habitat among the vegetation offering excellent camouflage. Remarkably, this is the only arboreal viper species in Sri Lanka.

The species exhibits various color morphs, primarily in shades of green, yellow, and blue. Dry and intermediate forms can frequently have blue morphs compared to wet zone morphs. Most individuals have black markings on their bodies and two lateral black stripes running from the eyes to the neck although some may show fewer black markings or even none at all. The tail tip is usually black.

Adults can reach up to 3 feet in length and possess a strong prehensile tail for gripping branches. Their diet mainly consists of small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.

The Sri Lankan Green Pit Viper is found in many parts of the country but is most common in wet zone and intermediate zone forests.