Suborder Serpentes Subfamily Crotalinae Higher classification Trimeresurus Order Scaled reptiles | Subphylum Vertebrata Family Viperidae Genus Trimeresurus Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Trimeresurus labialis, Trimeresurus fasciatus, Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus andersoni, Trimeresurus erythrurus, Trimeresurus | ||
Trimeresurus cantori is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India. It was named after Theodore Edward Cantor (1809-1860), a Danish naturalist serving as a surgeon with the East India Company in Calcutta. No subspecies are currently recognized.
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Geographic range
Found in the Nicobar Islands (which are in the Bay of Bengal), India, and possibly in the Andaman Islands. The type locality given is "Nicobars".
Description
Adults may attain a snout-vent length (SVL) of 115 cm (45 in). Boulenger reported that an adult female with a total length of 102 cm (40 in) had a tail 14 cm (5.5 in) long.
This species varies in pattern and color. Dorsally, it may be green, dark brown, or light brown. Green individuals may have yellow spots, and brown specimens may have darker spots. Running along each side of the head, below the eye and above the upper lip, is a cream-colored stripe. There is also a cream-colored stripe on the first row of dorsal scales on each side of the body. Ventrally, it is greenish or cream-colored, with some brown spots on the underside of the tail.
The weakly keeled dorsal scales are arranged in 27 to 31 rows at midbody. Ventrals 174-184; anal plate entire; subcaudals divided 55-76.
Behavior
Trimeresurus cantori is nocturnal and will hunt near houses.
Diet
It preys upon small mammals and birds.
Venom
This species possesses a potent venom, and some of its bites to humans have resulted in fatalities.