Bamboo Beauty

This baby Bamboo Pit Viper (Trimeresurus stejnegeri stejnegeri), a venomous staple of Taiwan's jungles, has just risen to its branch as the sun set over Taipei City. This nocturnal and arboreal pit viper is often found resting or foraging near mountain streams or roadside ditches, waiting stoically for frogs, lizards and birds to unknowingly pass by. Although it is not an aggressive animal, most snake bites in Taiwan are caused by this species, as farmers often handle plants in which the snake rests during the day. Its venom contains hemorrhagic toxins, and the wound often swells and bleeds. Extended Editorial License: Can be used to display privately, or in commercial and non-commercial ...View all