Island Pit Viper
CR

Island Pit Viper

Trimeresurus labialis

Declining

Photo: (c) Mohit Mishra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mohit Mishra

Overview

Trimeresurus labialis, commonly called Nicobar bamboo pit viper, is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India. No subspecies are currently recognized. Based on IUCN assessment in 2021, this viper is classified as critically endangered.

Trimeresurus labialis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat conversion for palm oil plantations across its limited range in Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand. The species' specialized arboreal lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, as it requires continuous canopy cover for movement and hunting. Collection for the international pet trade has further reduced wild populations, with specimens commanding high prices due to their rarity and distinctive appearance.

Threat summary

Habitat

This arboreal pit viper inhabits primary and secondary tropical rainforests, particularly favoring montane and hill forests at elevations between 300-1,200 meters. The species shows a strong preference for dense canopy environments with high humidity levels and is typically found in areas with abundant epiphytic vegetation that supports its prey base of small mammals, birds, and frogs.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSpecies recoveryAwareness & communications

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Island Pit Viper classified as Critically Endangered?
Island Pit Viper is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Trimeresurus labialis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat conversion for palm oil plantations across its limited range in Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand. The species' specialized arboreal lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, as it requires continuous canopy cover for movement and hunting. Collection for the international pet trade has further reduced wild populations, with specimens commanding high prices due to their rarity and distinctive appearance.
Where does Island Pit Viper live?
Island Pit Viper occurs in India. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Island Pit Viper?
The main threats to Island Pit Viper are 1.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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