Wagler's Pit Viper
Tropidolaemus wagleri
A strikingly patterned arboreal pit viper famous for congregating in large numbers at temples in Malaysia.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-1 m (2-3.3 ft), females larger
- Range
- Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines
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Overview
Wagler's Pit Viper is a colorful, arboreal snake well known from Penang's 'Snake Temple' in Malaysia, where dozens of individuals are often found resting on shrines and structures. Its striking green-and-yellow coloration and heat-sensing pits make it a distinctive Southeast Asian pit viper.
The species shows marked sexual dimorphism, with females considerably larger and more heavily patterned than males.
How to identify it
- Bright green body with irregular yellow, white, or blue crossbands and spots (pattern varies with age and sex)
- Juveniles and males often show more vivid green with thin yellow bands
- Triangular head distinct from the neck, with heat-sensing pits between eye and nostril
- Vertically elliptical pupils
- Prehensile tail for climbing
- Distinguished from other green pit vipers by its heavier build and variable blotched pattern in females
Habitat & range
Found in lowland and hill forests, plantations, and gardens across Southeast Asia, favoring low vegetation and shrubs where it can ambush prey.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and largely sedentary, often remaining coiled in the same spot for extended periods while waiting to ambush prey. Feeds on small mammals, birds, frogs, and lizards. Ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wagler's Pit Viper dangerous?
Yes, it is venomous, though it is generally sluggish and bites are uncommon unless it is provoked or handled.
Why is it associated with temples?
Large numbers gather at Penang's Snake Temple in Malaysia, where they rest undisturbed on shrines and structures.
Do males and females look different?
Yes, females are larger and often show a heavier, more blotched pattern than the slimmer, more uniformly green males.
What does it eat?
Small mammals, birds, frogs, and lizards, typically captured by ambush.
Wagler's Pit Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Wagler's Pit Viper.
