Snake quizz

[cornishcarlos]

Anyone know what type this is?

[Costas2008]

It's a snake.

[cornishcarlos]

It's a snake.

I know you are trying to be funny but if you read carefully, I asked what "type" ? Get it?

Have another go

[Mrjlh]

It's a "Mangrove Pit Viper" and a Dangerous one.

On second thought....where did you find this snake? Phuket? You could have a "Phuket Pit Viper" which they just discovered as a new species in 2011. If so and you have this snake don't kill it! It's very rare and it needs to go to right people so they can determine how strong the venom is. Little is know about this species.

The first thing I saw was the triangular shape of the head which is a strong indicator of that of a "Pit". The coloring varies greatly on these snakes and the pale green gives it the appearance of a Mangrove but it could be one of several other varieties of a "pit".

[cornishcarlos]

It's a "Mangrove Pit Viper" and a Dangerous one.

Yup, that could be it... Was 99% sure it was a pit viper of some description.

I've caught 2 in the last month, might even be the same one both times.

Had to get the cat away from it this time. Picked it up with my snake stick and popped it in the bucket for a photo shoot. He is now safely at the other end of the plantation in a palm tree

Who knows, maybe he will be back in a week or 2...!!

[Mrjlh]

Are you in Phuket?

[cornishcarlos]

No, Surat and a long way from any mangroves

[cornishcarlos]

It's a "Mangrove Pit Viper" and a Dangerous one.

On second thought....where did you find this snake? Phuket? You could have a "Phuket Pit Viper" which they just discovered as a new species in 2011. If so and you have this snake don't kill it! It's very rare and it needs to go to right people so they can determine how strong the venom is. Little is know about this species.

The first thing I saw was the triangular shape of the head which is a strong indicator of that of a "Pit". The coloring varies greatly on these snakes and the pale green gives it the appearance of a Mangrove but it could be one of several other varieties of a "pit".

I never kill snakes... Always catch and release...

Did kill a cobra once, outside the front door and then felt really bad afterwards.

[BillyBobThai]

Trimeresurus (Popeia) phuketensis (Phuket Pit Viper)

Length: Males up to 64 cm, females 75 cm

Distribution: Phuket, Ban Bangrong, Thalang District

Habitat/Habits:
The Phuket Pit Viper was described as a new species in 2011. Therefor there a only few informations about this snake. The distibution is, as far as known until now, limited to a small region in the north of Phuket Island. Like the other Trimeresurus species, also Trimeresurus phuketensis is active during the night. Mostly this snake lays near the ground on bushes or branches. Occasionly they also can be found on the ground. Their habitat are primarely and secondarly forests.
The breeding season of this snakes are the months september and october. At this time the snakes are also the most active. After a gravidity of 5 months the females give births to 8 to 9 living offspring.
In captivity this snakes did feed on a wide variety of food. They did accept geckos, frogs, mice, rats and bats.

Danger:
Like with all other Trimeresurus species , also Trimeresurus phuketensis should be handeled with respect. As this species is still quite new, there do not exist any informations about how strong the venom is. Also is not known how effective the from the Red Cross in Thailand droduced Green Pit Viper sera is in a case of a bite from Trimeresurus phuketensis. A special sera against the venom from the Phuket Pit Viper does not exist in the moment.