Gloydius himalayanus

species of reptile

Gloydius himalayanus (commonly known as the Himalayan Pit Viper) is a medium-sized gray-brown snake found in caverns and rocky crevices of forested hill sides, where it feeds on skinks and lizards. The scale pattern consists of medial dark brown blotches, alternating with lateral rows of spots.

Gloydius himalayanus
Scientific classification
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G. himalayanus
Binomial name
Gloydius himalayanus
(Günther, 1864)
Synonyms
  • Trigonocephalus affinis
    – Günther, 1860 (part)
  • Halys himalayanus Günther, 1864
  • Halys Himalayanus
    Stoliczka, 1870
  • Halys Hymalayanus
    Stoliczka, 1870 (ex errore)
  • Trigonocephalus himalayanus Strauch, 1873
  • Crotalus Halys Himalayanus – Higgins, 1873
  • Ancistrodon himalayanus
    Boulenger, 1890
  • Agkistrodon himalayanus
    – Hatta, 1928
  • A[gkistrodon]. himalayana
    Underwood, 1979
  • Gloydius himalayanus
    Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981[1]

It occurs along the southern slopes of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Nepal as far as Sikkim between 1500–3000 m altitude.

The Himalayan Pit Viper is a habitually sluggish snake that basks in sunlight and hibernates in winter.

Sources change

  1. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).