Field guide
Highland hump-nosed pit viper
කඳුකර මූකලන් තෙලිස්සා · kandukara mookalan thelissa
Hypnale nepa
Venomous Endemic
A bite from this species is a medical emergency.
A hill-country endemic hump-nosed viper.
How to identify
1Upturned snout, strongly keeled scales
2Mottled grey-brown, dark dorsal blotches
3Restricted to higher elevations
If bitten
Serious bite — seek hospital care urgently. Keep the victim still, immobilise the limb, remove tight items. Do NOT cut, suck, tourniquet or ice. Monitor for swelling and kidney effects and transport to hospital.
Up to 0.4 m
Length
Nocturnal
Active
Lizards
Diet
Where it's found
Hill country
Montane and sub-montane forest floor and tea estates.