Cameron Highlands Pit Viper

Description:

This green Viper was a special Spotting, both for its rarity, beauty and also spotted together (or by) with a fellow Project Noah Member, Jordi Pratts. The Cameron Highlands Pit Viper was named after the location where it was originally discovered i.e. Cameron Highlands, but was later also found in Fraser's Hills. This was a full adult specimen, around 1 meter length. Its body colour is an intense green above, with a slight bluish tinge : this tinge is more apparent at the margin of the dorsal body scales. Ventrally the body scales are yellowish. The tail is brown-reddish in colour (Pic#5) and it is the only Popeia species with this tail-colouration.

Habitat:

Found in the higher altitude mountain and montane forest, endemic to Peninsular Malaysia.

Notes:

Spotted by fellow PN Member, Jordi Pratts during a night walk at Cameron Highland. It was on the ground, crossing the trail when we encountered it. This species was only described as a species quite recently in the year 2004 and is listed as vulnerable as it is only known to occur in a small area of within 6,600 km², from Cameron Highlands to Fraser Hills.