Fea's Viper

Fea's Viper is a small, slender viper placed in its own genus, Azemiops, which molecular and morphological studies suggest represents one of the earliest-diverging branches of the viper family. It is named after the Italian naturalist Leonardo Fea.

It inhabits cool, forested mountain slopes in a restricted range spanning parts of Myanmar, southern China, and northern Vietnam, and is rarely encountered due to its secretive habits and remote habitat.

• Glossy blue-black or dark brown body with narrow, bright orange or yellow crossbands
• Head is distinct from neck but relatively narrow and elongated compared to typical vipers
• Smooth-looking dorsal scales with low keels, giving a satiny sheen
• Vertically elliptical pupils
• Small size (rarely exceeding 3 ft) distinguishes it from most large pit vipers sharing its range
• The combination of glossy black ground color with vivid orange bands is unique among regional vipers

Found in cool, humid montane and submontane forests at moderate to high elevations, generally between 1,000 and 2,000 m. Favors leaf litter, rocky slopes, and forest floor debris near streams in evergreen and mixed broadleaf forest.

Nocturnal and terrestrial, spending daylight hours hidden under logs, rocks, or leaf litter. Feeds on small rodents and other small vertebrates. Little is documented about its reproductive biology, though it is believed to be oviparous. Generally slow-moving and secretive, relying on camouflage and concealment rather than confrontation.