{{Short description|Species of snake}} {{Speciesbox | image = Trimeresurus venustus.jpg | status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1 | genus = Trimeresurus | species = venustus | authority = Vogel, 1991 | synonyms = ''Cryptelytrops venustus'' | synonyms_ref = }}
'''''Trimeresurus venustus''''' is a [[venomous snake|venomous]] [[Crotalinae|pit viper]] [[species]] [[endemic]] to southern [[Thailand]].<ref name=RDB/> Its common names include '''beautiful pit viper''' and '''brown-spotted pit viper'''.<ref name=RDB/>
== Taxonomy == This species was considered a synonym of ''Trimeresurus kanburiensis'' until around the turn of the century.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Uetz |first=Peter |title=Trimeresurus venustus |url=https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Trimeresurus&species=venustus&search_param=%28%28genus%3D%27trimeresurus%27%29%29 |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=The Reptile Database}}</ref> It was described by Gernot Vögel in 1991.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Vogel |first=G. |date=1991 |title=Eine neue <i>Trimeresurus</i>-Art aus Thailand, <i>Trimeresurus venustus</i> sp. nov.(Reptilia: Serpentes: Crotalidae) |url=http://www.gernot-vogel.de/publications/Vogel1991Sauria_-_Trimeresurus_venustus.pdf |journal=Sauria |volume=13 |pages=23–28}}</ref> It is in the subgenus ''Trimeresurus''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mirza |first1=Zeeshan A. |last2=Lalremsanga |first2=H. T. |last3=Bhosale |first3=Harshal |last4=Gowande |first4=Gaurang |last5=Patel |first5=Harshil |last6=Idiatullina |first6=Sabira S. |last7=Poyarkov |first7=Nikolay A. |date=2023-02-24 |title=Systematics of <i>Trimeresurus popeiorum</i> Smith, 1937 with a revised molecular phylogeny of Asian pitvipers of the genus <i>Trimeresurus</i> Lacépède, 1804 sensu lato |url=https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/97026/ |journal=Evolutionary Systematics |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=91–104 |doi=10.3897/evolsyst.7.97026 |doi-access=free |issn=2535-0730}}</ref>
== Etymology == Derived from [[Latin]], the name ''venustus'' means beautiful, and refers to the striking, intricate color scheme.<ref name="RDB" />
== Description == This species has a slender body and is approximately {{Convert|580|mm|in|abbr=on}} in length.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Indraneil |first=Das |title=A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-East Asia. |publisher=New Holland Publishers |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-4729-2059-1 |location=London}}</ref> They have a triangular-shaped head, like all pit vipers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mark |date=2025-03-09 |title=Krabi's Brown-Spotted Pit Viper (Beautiful Pit Viper) |url=https://krabinature.com/krabi-brown-spotted-pit-viper/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Krabi Nature - Wildlife Field Trips, Tours, and Photography |language=en-US}}</ref> Their [[Labial scale|labials]] are green with brown patches and a dark [[Postorbital process|postorbital]] stripe is present.<ref name=":3" />
Their distinctive coloration ranges from vibrant green to olive green with brown or reddish-orange bands along the length of the body.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Fuchs |first1=Joan |last2=Bessire |first2=Karin |last3=Weiler |first3=Stefan |date=2019-05-01 |title=A confirmed bite by a Beautiful Pit Viper (Trimeresurus venustus) resulting in local symptoms |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0041010119300935 |journal=Toxicon |volume=163 |pages=44–47 |doi=10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.03.019 |pmid=30902684 |bibcode=2019Txcn..163...44F |issn=0041-0101|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In males, the [[Anatomical terms of location|dorsal]] area is an olive or bluish-green color, while females have a grass-green dorsal area.<ref name=":3" /> Their short snout is slightly flattened with a small ridge, and they have [[Infrared sensing in snakes|heat-sensing pits]] in-between their nostrils.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2017-05-03 |title=Trimeresurus venustus |url=https://www.pierrewildlife.com/searchspecies/reptiles/snakes/viperidae/trimeresurusvenustus/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=PierreWildlife |language=}}</ref> Their irises are a light orange with brown specks.<ref name=":3" /> The dorsal scales are strongly keeled and have a count of 21 – 21 – 15.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-07-13 |title=Brown-Spotted Green Pit Viper {{!}} Thailand Snakes |url=https://thailandsnakes.com/brown-spotted-green-pit-viper/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Thailand Snakes, Snakebite, Herping, Tours, Snake Traps |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Distribution and habitat == ''T. venustus'' is native to southern Thailand and is also found in northern [[peninsular Malaysia]].<ref name="RDB" /><ref name=":3" /> Being mainly [[Arboreal locomotion|arboreal]],<ref name=":4" /> they can be found up to {{Convert|700|m|ft|abbr=on}} in elevation inhabiting limestone hills, shaded, humid valleys, [[Hevea brasiliensis|rubber tree]] plantations, and both primary and secondary rainforests.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0" />
== Biology ==
=== Feeding === Using heat-sensing pits, these pitvipers hunt mice, frogs, and lizards.<ref name=":2" />
=== Reproduction === ''T. venustus'' is [[Ovoviviparity|ovoviviparous]].<ref name="RDB" />
=== Venom === A bite resulted in swelling and a discoloration of the skin. Local symptoms were displayed, such as [[coagulopathy]].<ref name=":4" /> Their venom has a moderate level of toxicity, and all bites should be treated as potentially dangerous. [[Trimeresurus macrops|Green pit viper]] [[antivenom]] is used as treatment.<ref name=":0" />
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species|genus=Trimeresurus |species=venustus |accessdate=2 February 2017}}</ref> }}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3539232}}
[[Category:Trimeresurus|venustus]] [[Category:Snakes of Thailand]] [[Category:Reptiles described in 1991]]
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