Philippine Pit Viper

Trimeresurus flavomaculatus

This species of viper is found on the Philippine islands of Agutayan, Batan, Camiguin, Catanduanes, Dinagat, Jolo, Leyte, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros and Polilo. They are adapted to a wide variety of habitat ranging from lowland disturbed sites to mid-elevation primary tropical moist forest. They are common at low elevation and have been recorded at 700m above sea level in Camiguin Norte at 600m above sea level on Mount Banahaw and between 400 and 400m above sea level on Bohol. They are listed as least concern species because of its wide distribution, presumably with a large population. Aside from that, they have also tolerance on habitat modification.

Identification

Scalation of this species includes 21 rows of dorsal scales at mid-body, 170-178/175-184 ventral scales in males/females, 62-71/58-63 subcaudal scales in males/females and 9-11 supralabial scales to which the 3rd is the largest. This species of venomous pit viper is endemic to the Philippines.