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Trimeresurus macrolepis
This endemic beauty is an arboreal and nocturnal species which is named after its large scales, but importantly; Pit vipers are called so due to the presence of a prominent heat-sensitive pit. The`pit' is a noticeable depression situated on the head of a pit viper between the nostril and the eye. It is a heat-sensitive organ and helps the pit vipers in detecting the prey even in total darkness. That's some cool 'New world' evolution I must say!
The distribution of this species is restricted to mid and high altitude wet evergreen forests south of the Palghat Gap in the southern Western Ghats region of India.
1 Comment
That is a beautiful animal, Vipul. Wonderful spotting.