How to Identify Salazar's Pit Viper (Identification Guide)

Key identifying features

Salazar's pit viper (Trimeresurus salazar) is identified by distinctive raised, horn-like supraocular scales above each eye, giving the face a somewhat spiky or crested appearance, along with a slender green body typical of arboreal pit vipers in the region.

Coloration & pattern

The body is a bright to yellowish-green, sometimes with a faint pale stripe along the lower flank. The tail may show a subtle contrasting color compared to the rest of the body. The belly is pale green or yellowish-white.

Head, eyes & scales

The most notable feature is the pair of raised, spine-like scales projecting above each eye, distinguishing it from most other green pit vipers, which typically have smooth, flat scales in this area. The head is otherwise triangular and clearly wider than the neck, with heat-sensing pits between eye and nostril, and vertically elliptical pupils. Body scales are keeled.

Size & body shape

This is a slender, moderate-sized pit viper, generally in the range of 50 to 80 cm (about 20 to 31 inches), with a laterally compressed body adapted for climbing.

Range & habitat where you'll see it

Salazar's pit viper is found in the forests of northeastern India, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, in hilly and forested terrain at moderate elevations.

How to tell it apart from look-alikes

The raised, horn-like scales above the eyes are the clearest distinguishing feature separating Salazar's pit viper from other green pit vipers in the region, most of which lack this ornamentation and have smoother head scales.