Chasen's Mountain Pit Viper
Garthius chaseni
A small, stout, terrestrial mountain pit viper endemic to the highland forests of Borneo.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.4-0.6 m (1.3-2 ft)
- Range
- Borneo (montane forests, including the Mount Kinabalu region)
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Overview
Chasen's mountain pit viper is a stout-bodied, largely terrestrial pitviper, distinct from the slender arboreal Trimeresurus group. Formerly placed in the genus Ovophis, it is now recognized in the monotypic genus Garthius. It occupies cool, high-elevation forests on Borneo, where it hunts on the forest floor.
It is endemic to the mountains of Borneo, reflecting a montane-adapted lineage restricted to isolated highland habitats.
How to identify it
- Stout body compared to slender green pitvipers
- Brownish or grayish coloration with darker crossbands or blotches
- Triangular head, vertical pupils
- Keeled scales
- Ground-dwelling habit distinguishes it from arboreal green pitvipers in the same region
Habitat & range
Found in montane and submontane forest, typically on the forest floor among leaf litter, at moderate to high elevations in the mountains of Borneo.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily terrestrial and nocturnal, hiding under leaf litter or logs by day. Ambushes small mammals, frogs, and lizards. Uses heat-sensing pits to detect prey. Reproduction is viviparous.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chasen's mountain pit viper venomous?
Yes, it is venomous like all pitvipers.
Is it arboreal or terrestrial?
It is primarily terrestrial, unlike many related Asian green pitvipers.
Where is it found?
It is endemic to the montane forests of Borneo.
What does it eat?
Small mammals, frogs, and lizards found on the forest floor.
Chasen's Mountain Pit Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Chasen's Mountain Pit Viper.
