White-lipped pit viper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids White-lipped pit viper
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Trimeresurus
Species:	albolabris
Synonyms
Trimesurus albolabris Gray, 1842 T[rimeresurus]. albolabris – Theobald, 1879 Trimeresurus gramineus albolabris – Mell, 1922 Trimeresurus albolabris – Pope & Pope, 1933 Trimeresurus albolabris albolabris – Regenass & Kramer, 1981 Cryptelytrops albolabris – Malhotra & Thorpe, 2004 Trimeresurus (Trimeresurus) albolabris – David et al., 2011

The white-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) is a type of venomous snake found in Southeast Asia. It's known for its bright green color and, sometimes, a white stripe along its lip. This snake is a pit viper, which means it has special heat-sensing pits on its head. These pits help it find prey, even in the dark.

About the White-Lipped Pit Viper

How Scientists Name Snakes

Scientists use special names to group and understand different animals. The white-lipped pit viper's main scientific name is Trimeresurus albolabris. Over time, as scientists learn more, the way animals are grouped can sometimes change. This means their scientific names might be updated.

• Some common names for this snake include green tree pit viper, white-lipped pit viper, and white-lipped tree viper. You might also hear it called the white-lipped green pit viper or white-lipped bamboo pit viper.

What Does This Snake Look Like?

These snakes are usually green, helping them blend in with leaves.

• Male white-lipped pit vipers can grow up to about 60 centimeters (24 inches) long.
• Female snakes are a bit larger, reaching up to 81 centimeters (32 inches) long.
• Their tails are also quite long, up to 13 centimeters (5 inches) for females and 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) for males.

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  T. albolabris, White-lipped pit viper (adult, male) – Kaeng Krachan National Park

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  T. albolabris, White-lipped pit viper (adult, female) – Kaeng Krachan National Park

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  T. albolabris (juvenile/male) – Kaeng Krachan National Park

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  T. albolabris (juvenile/female) – Kaeng Krachan National Park

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  T. albolabris at the Houston Zoo

Scales and Color

The scales on their head are small and smooth. They have special scales above their eyes called supraoculars.

• The sides of their head, below the eyes, are often yellow, white, or light green. This color is much lighter than the rest of their head.
• Their belly can be green, yellowish, or white.
• Male snakes usually have a light stripe along their side, but females do not.
• The very end of their tail is not mottled brown.

Where Do They Live?

The white-lipped pit viper lives in many parts of Southeast Asia.

• You can find them in countries like Nepal, India (in Assam and Jharkhand), Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
• They also live in southern China (including Fujian, Hainan, Guangxi, and Guangdong), Hong Kong, and Macau.
• In Indonesia, they are found on islands such as Sumatra, Java, Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo, Flores, Sumba, Roti, Kisar, and Wetar.

What Do They Eat?

This snake enjoys meals of birds, small frogs, and small mammals.

• When it catches prey, it doesn't strike and then let go. Instead, it holds onto its meal until it stops moving. This is common for snakes that live in trees.

Understanding Their Venom

The white-lipped pit viper is a venomous snake. Its venom mainly affects the blood, which is called "hemotoxic."

• If someone is bitten by this snake, the effects can range from mild sickness to more serious problems.
• The venom can make blood clot more easily.
• While many people have been bitten by these snakes, very few bites have led to death. It's always important to be careful and seek medical help if a snake bite occurs.