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Red-tailed pit viper
Trimeresurus erythrurus
A venomous Asian arboreal pit viper visually defined by a radiant green body terminating in a reddish-brown tail. Native to India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, kept only by experts.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Viperidae
Subfamily:Crotalinae
Genus:Trimeresurus
Species:Trimeresurus erythrurus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 90 %
Day temperature
23 - 27 °C
Ambient temperature
23 - 27 °C
Night temperature
19 - 21 °C
Basking spot
26 - 28 °C
Adult size
105 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 150 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Trimeresurus erythrurus is native to South Asia, specifically distributed across northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It inhabits coastal mangrove forests, alluvial plains, primary and secondary lowland rainforests, and dense riverine scrub. This arboreal snake is commonly found at low heights on shrubs, bamboo thickets, and low branches near water, adapting well to agricultural areas.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Viperidae and subfamily Crotalinae (pit vipers). Scientifically classified as Trimeresurus erythrurus, it is part of the complex of species related to Trimeresurus albolabris. Its genetics encode a potent hemotoxic venom apparatus adapted for capturing vertebrate prey. No commercial genetic color morphs exist due to safety and legal restrictions.
Behavior and Habits: An ambush predator with strictly nocturnal habits. During the day, it remains perfectly still coiled in dense vegetation. It has a defensive and easily agitated temperament; when threatened, it will flatten its body, vibrate its tail, and strike with mouth agape. Its hemotoxic venom causes severe pain, swelling, and necrosis, requiring extreme caution.
Morphology: Features a triangular head distinct from the neck, covered with small scales, and large eyes with vertical pupils. Loreal pits are present on the side of the head. The body is stout with keeled scales and a short prehensile tail colored reddish-brown or orange. The dorsum is uniform light green, with a white lateral stripe running along the lower flanks.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertically oriented terrarium measuring at least 80x50x80 cm, fitted with a secure lock. Decor must feature multiple secure horizontal and vertical climbing branches and dense foliage to provide hides. Substrate should be a moisture-retaining material such as cypress mulch or coconut husk, keeping the enclosure clean and mold-free.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a 12-hour light cycle using a low-output (2%) UVB bulb to encourage natural behavior. Heating must be provided from above using a ceramic emitter or spot lamp enclosed in a protective mesh cage to prevent thermal burns. Basking spot temperature: 26-28°C, cool side: 22-23°C, and night drops to 20°C.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high humidity levels between 70% and 80%, using daily manual or automatic misting systems with warm water. These arboreal snakes rarely drink from water bowls on the floor; they rely on drinking water droplets from leaves and branches. A water dish should still be kept in the enclosure.
Feeding and Supplementation: Feeds on lizards, frogs, and small mammals in the wild. In captivity, feed appropriately sized thawed mice using long safety tongs. Adult snakes should be fed every 12-14 days. Do not overfeed, as they have a slow metabolism and are prone to obesity. Vitamin supplementation is generally unnecessary.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary animals. They must be housed individually. Keeping multiple specimens together causes high stress and carries a risk of territorial combat or feeding accidents. Cohabitation is only permitted for breeding purposes under the strict supervision of professional keepers.
Health and Common Diseases: Susceptible to respiratory infections (RIs) if kept too cold, wet, or in stagnant conditions with poor air circulation. Stuck shed on the tail or eyes occurs when humidity levels are too low. Because of their venomous nature, all veterinary procedures require specialized containment tubes and protocols.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Trimeresurus erythrurus is native to South Asia, specifically distributed across northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It inhabits coastal mangrove forests, alluvial plains, primary and secondary lowland rainforests, and dense riverine scrub. This arboreal snake is commonly found at low heights on shrubs, bamboo thickets, and low branches near water, adapting well to agricultural areas.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsNorth AmericaSouth and Southeast Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 105 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 105 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 105 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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