Truong Son Pit Viper

The Truong Son Pit Viper is a small pit viper described relatively recently from the biologically rich Annamite Mountains (Truong Son range) of central Vietnam and adjacent Laos. This mountain chain harbors numerous endemic reptile species owing to its isolation and varied topography.

Unlike the bright green arboreal pit vipers of the region, it is a ground-dwelling species with muted brown coloration and strongly keeled scales, well camouflaged against the forest floor.

• Brown to grayish-brown dorsal coloration, often with darker mottling or irregular markings
• Relatively small, stout body suited to a terrestrial lifestyle
• Strongly keeled, rough-textured dorsal scales
• Triangular head distinct from the neck, with heat-sensing pits between eye and nostril
• Vertically elliptical pupils
• Distinguished from the region's green arboreal pit vipers by its brown ground color and forest-floor habits, and from relatives by locality and fine scale characteristics

Found in humid montane evergreen forests of the Truong Son (Annamite) range, typically at moderate to high elevations. Occupies leaf litter, rocky ground, and forest floor debris in primary and secondary forest.

Primarily nocturnal and terrestrial, sheltering under logs, rocks, or leaf litter during the day and hunting on the forest floor at night. Likely an ambush predator of small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, and small mammals. Reproductive details are poorly documented. Generally sluggish and relies on camouflage rather than fleeing when disturbed.