Himalayan Pit Viper
Gloydius himalayanus
Mildly Venomous
Description
The Himalayan Pit Viper is a high-altitude pit viper found across the Himalayan mountain ranges of India. It is one of the few venomous snakes adapted to cold mountain environments, surviving at elevations up to 4,900 meters.
This relatively small snake (40-70 cm) has mildly hemotoxic venom that causes localized pain and swelling. While bites are painful, they are rarely life-threatening. The snake is generally sluggish and non-aggressive.
Himalayan Pit Vipers are important predators in their ecosystem, feeding on mice, lizards, and small birds. They are viviparous, giving birth to 4-10 live young. Their brownish-grey coloring with dark zigzag patterns provides excellent camouflage against the rocky mountain terrain.
Natural Habitat
Found across the Himalayas in India, from Jammu & Kashmir to Uttarakhand and Northeast India. Inhabits rocky slopes, grasslands, and forest edges at elevations from 1,500 to 4,900 meters.