Himalayan Pit Viper is a venomous pitviper species found along the southern slopes of the Himalayas in Pakistan, India and Nepal. No subspecies are currently recognized. Himalayan pit vipers have been found up to 4900m above sea level, which makes it the highest living snake ever found.
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| Himalayan Pit Viper |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Subphylum | Vertebrata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Suborder | Serpentes |
| Family | Viperidae |
| Genus | Gloydius |
| Scientific Name | Gloydius himalayanus |
Description and Biology:
Medium-sized snake, with distinct elongated head covered with large symmetrical scales; a distinct pit between eye and nostril; a pair of pre and postoculars, lower longer, separating supralabials from eye; 7 supralabials, posterior two united with temporals to form large post-temporal scales; 9-10 in-fralabials; single pair of genials; body scales strongly keeled, 21 rows at midbody; ventrals 147-175, subcaudals 32-52 divided; anal single.
Dorsum light brown, gray to dark brown. A median series of dark brown blotches, alternating
with lateral row of spots. A broad dark band from eye to the angle of mouth. Supralabials light with dark mottling. Ventrum light gray with dark clouding and fine spotting.
Snout-vent length 565-572 mm, tail 98-102 mm.
This snake frequents rocky wooded hill sides, where it lives in caverns and crevices among rocks, hibernates in winter from October to April. Basks in bright sunny winter days, habitually sluggish.
Feeds mainly on skinks and other mountain lizards.
Habitat, Distribution and Status:
A mountain snake, restricted to an elevation of 1500 m, however, reports exist from Dharmsala Glacier at 5000 m elevation.
The Russell's viper is found from western Himalayas, Sikkim to Chitral, to Northern Pakistan. Recently it has been recorded from Deosai Plain, Baltistan. It has also been reported from Nathia Gali, eastern NWFP and Margalla Hills.
Color
Brownish upper surface mottled or streaked in the shape of transverse bars; white underside with red and black spots or speckles
Diet
Skinks, lizards, small rodents
Hibernation Fact
Hibernate during winter
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