Tropidolaemus huttoni | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Subfamily: | Crotalinae |
Genus: | Tropidolaemus |
Species: | T. huttoni |
Binomial name | |
Tropidolaemus huttoni (M.A. Smith, 1949) |
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Synonyms | |
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Tropidolaemus huttoni is a venomous pitviper species found in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.[4] Its specific name is in honor of its discoverer, Angus Hutton, a planter and naturalist. Little is known about this species, as only two specimens, both juveniles, have been collected since it was first described in 1949.
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The coloration and size of adults is unknown. Juveniles are green dorsally, with a series of small white spots on both sides, located on the 2nd & 3rd scale rows from the vertebral row. Ventrally they are pale green, except for the last 25 subcaudals, which are dull reddish brown. The holotype specimen is only 136 mm (5⅜ inches) in total length, 98 mm (3⅞ inches) in snout-vent length (SVL), and the tail is 38 mm (1½ inches) long.[5]
Found in Theni district, southern India. Known only from the type locality, which is listed as "High Wavy Mountains, Theni district, southern India." According to David and Vogel (1998), this is a plateau on the western central edge of the Varushanad Hills, at 1,590 m elevation, in Theni district, Tamil Nadu.[1]