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Common Name : Merrem´s Hump-nosed Pit Viper     -       Scientific Name : Hypnale Hypnale       -       Other Name : Hump Nosed Viper (E), Polon Thelissa, Kunakatuwa (S)
Ikirigollawa Road
02/22/2016
Ikirigollawa Road
02/22/2016
Ikirigollawa Road
02/22/2016
Ikirigollawa Road
02/22/2016

This is a moderately venomous snake found through out the country except for the highest hills. This species is only found in Sri Lanka and in the Western Ghats in India.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012).

This is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

This is an aggressive species that grows to about a foot in length and is very common in the wet zone forested and agricultural plantations areas. I have seen this species at many dry zone locations as well including the Mannar Island, Monaragama, Ritigala, Anuradapura and Trincomalee.

The venom of this species can particularly cause damage to the human kidneys and if timely treatment is not administered can even result in death due to renal failure.

Even though it is seldom seen due to being a nocturnal hunter this is a common species in Wilpattu. I have seen this species at Hunuwilagama, Ikirigollawa and Eluwankulama.