What is Black-Speckled Palm-Pit Viper (Bothriechis Nigroviridis)

Black-speckled palm pit viper is species of venomous snake that belongs to the family of vipers. It can be found only in Panama and Costa Rica. Black-speckled palm pit viper inhabits cold, moist mountainous forests, on the altitude of 3.700 to 9.800 feet. Black-speckled palm viper is rarely seen in the wild because of its arboreal life style and secretive nature. Greatest threat for the survival of black-speckled palm pit vipers in the wild is habitat destruction due accelerated development of agriculture and urbanization. Exact number of remaining black-speckled palm vipers is unknown. 

Black-Speckled Palm-Pit Viper

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Subphylum	Vertebrata
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Suborder	Serpentes
Family	Viperidae
Subfamily	Crotalinae
Genus	Bothriechis
Scientific Name	Bothriechis nigroviridis

Interesting Black-speckled palm pit viper Facts:
Black-speckled palm pit viper can reach 31 inches in length.
Black-speckled palm pit viper has emerald green or (rarely) yellow green body covered with numerous black markings on the back and lateral sides of the body. Belly is paler, yellowish green in color and only slightly mottled.
Its scientific name is Bothriechis nigroviridis. Name refers to specific color of the body ("nigro" = "black", "viridis" = "green" in Latin).
Black-speckled palm pit viper has wide head, dark eyes with vertical pupils and slender body. It has black tongue and large venomous fangs, located in the front part of the mouth.
Body of this pit viper is covered with keeled scales.
The pit viper can be active both during the day and night, depending on the habitat. Inhabitants of forests on the lower altitude are usually active during the night (nocturnal). They from the forests on the higher altitude often hunt during the day (diurnal).
Black-speckled palm pit viper is adapted to the life in the trees (arboreal creature). It has long prehensile tail which facilitates climbing and movement in the treetops.
It is an ambush predator (it hunts using the element of surprise).
The pit viper is equipped with heat-sensing pits, organs which detect heat of various (especially warm-blooded) creatures. Heat-sensing pits are located between the eyes and nostrils. Black-speckled palm viper uses heat-sensing pits to find its next meal.
This snake is a carnivore (meat-eater). Its diet is based on various small animals such as lizards, frogs and birds.
Most terrestrial pit vipers deliver venom in the prey and leave it to die. Later, they follow scent trail to find and swallow their victims. Unlike them, this palm pit viper holds its prey tightly until it becomes safe for consumption.
It produces strong venom which induces breathing difficulties, nausea and death (if left untreated).
Little is known about reproductive behavior of black-speckled palm pit vipers.
Closely related species of palm pit vipers reach sexual maturity at the age of 2 years. Females give birth to 9 to 16 live babies after gestation period of around 6 months.
Black-speckled palm pit viper can survive 8 to 10 years in the wild.