pit viper: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As	Crotalinae

Photos

Malayan pit viper (Calloselasma rhodostoma).

Bushmaster (Lachesis muta).

Close-up of a bamboo viper, Trimeresurus stejnegeri, showing its green scales, heat-sensing pit between the eye and nostril, and vertical slit pupil.

Diagram showing the skulls of three types of venomous snakes: a cobra (Elapidae) with forward-facing fangs, a pit viper (Crotalinae) with long, hinged fangs, and a rear-fanged snake (Colubridae) with fangs positioned at the back of the mouth. Each skull is labeled to highlight the location and shape of the fangs.

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