Ovophis monticola – Himalayan Mountain Pit Viper

The Ovophis monticola, known commonly as the Himalayan Mountain Pit Viper or Chinese Mountain Pit Viper, is one of Thailand’s most elusive snake species. Though in Northern Thailand especially where access to higher elevation forest is easier, this species is not impossible to find with some (a lot?) persistence and luck.

To be continued…

In the meanwhile, here are some images to keep you entertained.

Juvenile ovophis monticola hiding in the leaf litter

Juvenile ovophis monticola hiding in the leaf litter in northern Thailand

Ovophis monticola, Himalayan Mountain Pit Viper, in its habitat

Ovophis monticola, Himalayan Mountain Pit Viper, in its habitat in northern Thailand

Ventrals of Ovophis monticola juvenile

Ventral view of a Ovophis monticola juvenile from northern Thailand

Top view of the head of a young Ovophis monticola from northern Thailand

Top view of the head of a young Ovophis monticola from northern Thailand

Body markings of an Ovophis monticola juvenile

Body markings of an Ovophis monticola juvenile from northern Thailand

Ovophis monticola juvenile

Ovophis monticola juvenile

Head close-up of Ovophis monticola juvenile

Head close-up of Ovophis monticola juvenile

Himalayan Mountain Pit Viper, Ovophis monticola

Himalayan Mountain Pit Viper, Ovophis monticola juvenile from northern Thailand

Head close-up of a Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola)

Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) in Northern Thailand

Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola)

Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) in Northern Thailand

Ventrals of a Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola)

Ventrals of an adult Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) in Northern Thailand

The Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) blends in with the leaf litter

The Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) blends in with the forest leaf litter allowing it to hide in plain sight.

Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) adult

Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) adult in Northern Thailand

Top view of an adult Ovophis monticola

Top view of an adult Himalayan Mountain Pit Viper, Ovophis monticola

In situ Ovophis monticola

In situ Ovophis monticola

 

Habitat with in situ Ovophis monticola

Habitat with in situ (though hardly visible) Himalayan Mountain Pit viper, Ovophis monticola in northern Thailand

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