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Broad-banded Temple Pitviper
Tropidolaemus laticinctus
Spectacular arboreal temple pit viper from Southeast Asia, known for its extreme sexual dimorphism and requiring high humidity paired with excellent ventilation.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Viperidae
Subfamily:Crotalinae
Genus:Tropidolaemus
Species:Tropidolaemus laticinctus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
75 - 90 %
Day temperature
24 - 28 °C
Ambient temperature
24 - 28 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Basking spot
30 °C
Adult size
130 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 150 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to Southeast Asia, this species inhabits warm and humid primary and secondary rainforests, often associated with coastal areas and mangroves, living mainly on low-to-medium branches.
Taxonomy and Genetics: The genus Tropidolaemus comprises the Asian temple pit vipers, characterized by an exceptionally triangular head and an ovoviviparous reproductive biology.
Behavior and Habits: Primarily nocturnal and sedentary ambush predator, spending long periods motionless waiting for small rodents or birds to pass within striking range.
Morphology: Exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism. Females are large, heavy-bodied, and display dark green patterns with yellow or bluish bands; males remain much smaller and retain a bright green coloration with red and white stripes.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a tall enclosure with secure, sturdy climbing branches and dense foliage to provide hiding places and a sense of security.
Lighting and Heating: Maintain daytime temperatures around 25-30°C with a localized basking spot of 30°C. 12-hour light cycle with low-level UVB lighting.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain humidity between 75% and 90%. Mist the enclosure regularly; this species rarely drinks from standing bowls and prefers licking droplets off leaves or their own skin.
Feeding and Supplementation: Feed appropriately sized rodents or lizards (especially for males and juveniles). Dust prey with calcium and vitamin D3 twice a month.
Compatibility: Solitary and territorial. Males and females must be housed separately to avoid stress, except for managed breeding attempts.
Health and Common Diseases: Vulnerable to respiratory infections if air becomes stagnant; excellent ventilation is critical. Dehydration-related constipation is also a common issue.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to Southeast Asia, this species inhabits warm and humid primary and secondary rainforests, often associated with coastal areas and mangroves, living mainly on low-to-medium branches.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsSouth and Southeast AsiaEast Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 130 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 130 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 130 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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