Redtail Bamboo Pit Viper
Trimeresurus erythrurus
A slender green bamboo pit viper of South and Southeast Asia, named for the reddish tail found in many individuals.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.5-0.8 m (1.6-2.6 ft)
- Range
- Northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and parts of Southeast Asia
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Overview
The redtail bamboo pit viper is a small arboreal pit viper found across lowland forests of the eastern Indian subcontinent and adjacent Southeast Asia. It belongs to the diverse Trimeresurus complex of Asian bamboo pit vipers.
It is most active at night, coiling on low vegetation during the day and hunting small vertebrates after dark.
How to identify it
- Bright to dull green body, sometimes with a thin white or yellow lateral stripe
- Tail often reddish-brown, contrasting with the green body
- Triangular head distinct from a slender neck
- Vertically elliptical pupils
- Keeled scales giving a slightly rough texture
- Distinguished from similar green pit vipers mainly by tail color and precise scale counts
Habitat & range
Found in lowland and hill forests, bamboo thickets, plantations, and gardens up to moderate elevations. Frequently encountered near streams and in disturbed secondary growth across its range in India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal and arboreal, resting coiled on branches by day. Feeds on frogs, lizards, and small rodents. Ambush predator relying on camouflage. Gives live birth to small litters of young.
Frequently asked questions
Is the redtail bamboo pit viper dangerous?
Yes, it is venomous and its bite can cause significant local tissue effects, though it is generally not aggressive unless disturbed.
Why is it called 'redtail'?
Many individuals have a reddish-brown tail tip that contrasts with the otherwise green body.
Where does it live?
It ranges across northeastern India, Bangladesh, and parts of Myanmar and Southeast Asia.
Is it arboreal?
Yes, it spends most of its time coiled on low branches and shrubs.
Redtail Bamboo Pit Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Redtail Bamboo Pit Viper.
