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 in northern Thailand
Ovophis monticola, Himalayan Mountain Pit Viper, in its habitat in northern Thailand
Ventral view of a Ovophis monticola juvenile from northern Thailand
Top view of the head of a young Ovophis monticola from northern Thailand
Body markings of an Ovophis monticola juvenile from northern Thailand
Ovophis monticola juvenile
Head close-up of Ovophis monticola juvenile
Himalayan Mountain Pit Viper, Ovophis monticola juvenile from northern Thailand
Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) in Northern Thailand
Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) in Northern Thailand
Ventrals of an adult Himalayan mountain pit viper (Ovophis monticola) in Northern Thailand
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 in Northern Thailand
Top view of an adult Himalayan Mountain Pit Viper, Ovophis monticola
In situ Ovophis monticola
Habitat with in situ (though hardly visible) Himalayan Mountain Pit viper, Ovophis monticola in northern Thailand
