Photo: Mr.Kannan

This photo was taken by Mr. Kannan, a senior forest watcher in Periyar Tiger Reserve. The Bamboo pit viper is one of the venomous snakes of Indian which is mostly found in the Western Ghats. They are typically green in color along with black, yellow and orange markings in the skin.

Photo: Mr.Kannan

Their venom is adapted mainly to kill prey like frogs, lizards, rodents and birds. They are mostly found in trees, using their prehensile tails to hang and easily catch their prey, although they are sometimes found in rocky terrain.  Due to the relatively small size of their prey their venom is less toxic as compared to other vipers. Mature snakes often make their homes inside the thick bamboo found in South India, hence the common name of Bamboo Pit viper.