Pope's Pit Viper
Trimeresurus popeiorum
A slender green pit viper of Southeast Asian forests, named after herpetologist Clifford Pope, and commonly encountered in hill and montane rainforest vegetation.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.5-0.9 m (1.6-3 ft)
- Range
- Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, and parts of Indochina
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Overview
Pope's Pit Viper is a venomous arboreal species distributed across parts of mainland Southeast Asia. It is one of many green pit vipers in the region and is named in honor of American herpetologist Clifford H. Pope.
It is a relatively common species in its range, often encountered along forest trails and vegetation bordering streams in hilly terrain.
How to identify it
- Bright to deep green body, sometimes with a faint white or yellow lateral line
- Reddish or brownish tail tip in some individuals
- Slender build typical of arboreal pit vipers
- Triangular head with heat-sensing pits
- Vertically elliptical pupils
- Distinguished from similar green pit vipers by subtle scale and coloration differences, often requiring close examination
Habitat & range
Found in hill and montane rainforests, often at moderate elevations, including forest edges, streamside vegetation, and disturbed secondary growth. Ranges across parts of Thailand, Malaysia, and neighboring Indochinese countries.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal, resting coiled in vegetation during daylight and becoming active at night to hunt. Diet consists of small mammals, lizards, frogs, and birds. Like other pit vipers in its genus, it is viviparous, giving birth to live young.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pope's Pit Viper venomous?
Yes, it is a venomous species native to Southeast Asian forests.
Where does it live?
It is found in hill and montane forests across Thailand, Malaysia, and parts of Indochina.
How is it distinguished from other green pit vipers?
Identification often relies on subtle scale counts and coloration details, as it closely resembles related Trimeresurus species.
Who was it named after?
It is named in honor of American herpetologist Clifford H. Pope.
Pope's Pit Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Pope's Pit Viper.
