Hypnale hypnale
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Common names: hump-nosed viper, Merrem's hump-nosed viper, more.

[Photo] Hump Nosed Viper (Hypnale hypnale) at Shendurney WLS, Kerala, India. Date 1 June 2007. Author Vijaybarve.

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Hypnale hypnale is a venomous pit viper species found in India and Sri Lanka. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Description
Grows to an average of 30-45 cm in length. The Armed Forces Pest Management Board states 0.4-0.6 m in 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 and parietal shields are large, but those on the snout and 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
Hump-nosed viper, Merrem's hump-nosed viper, hump-nosed pit viper, Oriental hump-nosed viper, hump-nosed pitviper.

Geographic range
Peninsular India to the Western Ghats as far north as 16° and Sri Lanka, according to M.A. Smith (1943). The type locality given is "Archipelago, Arabia, Aegypto." Schlegel (1837) proposed that the type locality be restricted to "Ceylon (Sri Lanka)."

Habitat
Found in dense jungle and coffee plantations in hilly areas.

Behavior
During the day it is often found coiled in bushes. It has an irritable disposition and will vibrate its tail when annoyed. Described as nocturnal, terrestrial and aggressive when disturbed.

Venom
Bites from this species are fairly frequent, but serious consequences have not been reported. However, the venom can cause serious systemic effects that make victims feel ill for prolonged periods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnale_hypnale

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