Hypnale hypnale
| Hypnale hypnale | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Hypnale |
| Species: | H. hypnale |
| Binomial name | |
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Hypnale hypnale (Merrem, 1820) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Hypnale hypnale is a venomous pitviper species endemic to India and Sri Lanka. Common names include the hump-nosed viper,Merrem's hump-nosed viper and others listed below at § Common names.
No subspecies are currently recognized.
H. hypnale grows to an average of 30–45 cm (11¾-17¾ inches) in total length (including tail). The Armed Forces Pest Management Board states 0.4-0.6 m (15¾-23⅝ inches) in total length.
Its build is that of a typical viperid with a stout body and a wide head. The snout is pointed and turned upwards, ending in a hump. The frontal, supraoculars, and parietal shields are large, but those on the snout are small and irregular.
The color pattern is grayish with heavy brown mottling, overlaid with a double row of large dark spots. The belly is brownish or yellowish with dark mottling. The tip of the tail is yellow or reddish.
Common names include: hump-nosed viper, Merrem's hump-nosed viper, hump-nosed pit viper, Oriental hump-nosed viper, hump-nosed pitviper,polon thelissa-පොලොන් තෙලිස්සා & kunakatuwa-කුණකටුවා (Sinhala),churutta (Malayalam).
H. hypnale is found in peninsular India to the Western Ghats as far north as 16° N, and in Sri Lanka, according to M.A. Smith (1943). The type locality given is "Castle Rock, Karnataka, India."
H. hypnale is found in dense jungle and coffee plantations in hilly areas.
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Wikipedia