Equipped with some of nature's best "technology," the sneaky Asian pit viper can track down victims in total darkness. Heat sensitive pits connected to this snake's brain give it infra-red vision that matches any high-tech night goggles. While climbing through trees or laying in wait, the Asian pit viper watches the glowing bodies of its prey in the darkness, set to lethally-inject victims with blood-destroying venom.
Tree Gear: This serpent likes to spend a lot of time in trees, hunting down birds and small reptiles. The wide scales on its belly help grip branches. Its other scales are keeled (they have small ridges on them), giving the snake much more control while climbing.
Wide Angle: Huge venom glands behind its eyes give the Asian pit viper a very wide head. The snake's venom attacks a victim's blood, and can kill humans. Even people who survive often endure pain and swelling from the venom for up to a month!
Night Moves[]
Detecting a target, the snake is set to strike.
Most of the Asian pit viper's prey comes out at night, so that's when the snake hunts. This viper can see well in the dark by using the pits on its face (which also give it part of its name). The pits are extremely sensitive to heat; they can detect minuscule temperature differences in the air-just 0.002°F! These heat sensors are connected to the visual center in the snake's brain, giving it an infra-red picture of its surroundings. The body-heat of prey animals "glows" in the snake's sights, giving it a clear target at which to strike.
Hideaway: Asian pit vipers come in many colors. Most are green and yellow, but some have white, red or even silvery-blue markings. This helps them hide in trees and shrubs during the day, and warns enemies not to disturb them.
Flasher: Some young Asian pit vipers have bright red tails, which look like worms or caterpillars when the snakes wiggle them; this helps lure frogs and birds into striking distance.
Poison Tea[]
- An Indian woman works in the fields of a plantation, gathering tea leaves for the harvest. She knows to keep her eyes peeled for dangerous snakes hiding in the bushes, but doesn't notice the well-camouflaged Asian pit viper resting among the leaves.
- As the woman works, she moves closer to the pit viper's resting place, but the snake doesn't notice her until she's very close, and reaches for leaves near its hiding spot. Feeling threatened, the viper lashes out and sinks its fangs deep into the woman's wrist.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The title for the main section on the back of the card, "Night Moves", is shared with a 1976 album by Bob Seger, the title song off of that album, as well as a 1975 film.
- The Asian pit viper is featured in Odd Creature Out on Monster Mania 75.