Yellow-blotched Palm Pit Viper
Bothriechis aurifer
A green arboreal pit viper of Guatemalan and Chiapan cloud forests, marked with pale yellow blotches along its back.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-0.8 m (2-2.6 ft)
- Range
- Highlands of Guatemala and southern Mexico (Chiapas)
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Overview
The Yellow-blotched Palm Pit Viper is a rare arboreal species restricted to montane cloud forests in Guatemala and the adjacent Chiapas highlands of Mexico.
Like its Bothriechis relatives, it is a slow-moving, well-camouflaged predator that depends heavily on intact highland forest, making habitat loss a significant concern for its long-term survival.
How to identify it
- Green base coloration marked with irregular yellow or cream blotches along the back
- Slender, laterally compressed body with prehensile tail
- Triangular head with vertical pupils
- Keeled scales
- Distinguished from related palm pit vipers by the distinct yellow blotching pattern
Habitat & range
Restricted to montane cloud forest in the highlands of Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico, typically at elevations above 1,000 m.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Arboreal and nocturnal, feeding on small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, and rodents from ambush positions in vegetation. Ovoviviparous. Considered vulnerable due to deforestation within its limited range.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Yellow-blotched Palm Pit Viper found?
In cloud forests of the Guatemalan highlands and Chiapas, Mexico.
What does its pattern look like?
A green body marked with irregular yellow or cream blotches.
Is it endangered?
It is considered vulnerable due to its limited range and ongoing habitat loss.
Is it venomous?
Yes, it is a venomous pit viper.
Yellow-blotched Palm Pit Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Yellow-blotched Palm Pit Viper.
