Vulture Culture

Sumatran pitviper (Trimeresurus sumatranus sumatranus)

Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) 

(Bitis nasicornis) rhinoceros viper

Habitat: Found mainly in rain forests, swamps, marshes, & floodplains; river, stream, & lake shores. Seldom goes into woodlands. Well camouflaged among fallen leaves of forest floor. Sometimes tolerated by Kenyan villagers as it resides in roofs of their huts. 

Activity and Behavior: Mainly nocturnal, partially aquatic, climbs well; often basks in shrubs & trees. Usually lethargic & slow to strike even in self-defense. Makes loud hissing noise if provoked, but usually is reluctant to strike. 

(Trimeresurus popeorum) Pope’s pit viper 

Northern India, Burma, Thailand, West Malaysia and Vietnam. In Indonesia, it occurs on the islands of Sumatra, Mentawai Islands (Siberut, Sipora, North Pagai) and Borneo. The type locality, designated by lectotype, is listed as “Khasi Hills,Assam” (India).

(Trimeresurus malabaricus) Malabar pit viper

Habitat 

It inhabits moist forests, both evergreen and deciduous, where it may be found on the ground, on low vegetation, or inshrubs. Found in southern and western India at 600–2,000 metres (2,000–6,600 ft) elevation. The type locality given is “all the forests of the West Coast … S. India” (the Western Ghats of southwestern India).

Behavior 

They are nocturnal and usually inactive in the day, sometimes seen basking on rocks or trees near streams. A typical behaviour found is that they are very active during the monsoon season (you get to see many of them). However, once the monsoon ends, you rarely find a Malabar pit viper.

Diet 

It preys upon tree frogs, geckos, musk shrews, and other small animals.

Venom