Schultz’s Pit Viper - A spectacular venomous snake endemic to Palawan
I have
heard it said that Palawan has more snakes in the wild than anywhere
else in the country. Maybe true, but there are species of
snakes commonly seen in other places that are scarce in Palawan
rainforest. We have enough vipers in the wild though. Trimeresurus
schultzei Griffin 1909 commonly known as the Schultz’s Pit Viper is one
of the most spectacular snakes that can be found here. This snake is
endemic to Palawan and its surrounding small islands.
Schultz’s Pit Viper
The Schultz’s Pit Viper is primarily arboreal species. They’re capable, but rarely
navigate and hunt on the ground. They’re slow and less camouflaged on
the ground and therefore more vulnerable on the forest floor. Using its prehensile tail to hold onto branches,
it prefers to perch on trees where its green color acts as camouflage
while waiting for prey. It is an ambush hunting snake relying on its
camouflage to catch food. The heat-sensing loreal pits are used to
locate warm-blooded prey.
Schultz’s Pit Viper
The
species is generally associated with forest or wooded habitats. It has
been found from sea level to around 800 masl. I have seen one near Thumb
Peak near the mossy forest at the elevation of 818 masl. It was resting
on top of a mossy branch beside the trail. These green viper's
camouflage makes them more dangerous to hikers. Green on green is hard
to see, and I know people who got bitten by this snake on the trail.
This Pit Vipers’ green color helps them greatly to conceal from
predators or potential prey and they usually remain concealed and immobile
until a prey wanders within striking distance.
Schultz’s Pit Viper
This
viper is also known to bear live young instead of laying eggs. It seems
territorial and known for its solitary nature, but we saw that it likes
to stay not far from the juveniles after giving birth and is aggressive
when protecting the young. Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide
distribution and because it has a tolerance to habitat modification, the
Trimeresurus schultzei may not be in immediate danger to habitat loss. This species is present in five largest mountain ranges in Palawan and the most commonly-encountered pit viper on the trails.
