Hump-nosed Pit Viper <Hypnale hypnale> feeding on an Allapalli Skink Eutropis allapallensis in Karwar, India

Journal of Threatened Taxa 2026 Open access

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Authors: Nonita Rana, Karthy Sivapushanam, Sadrack Jabaraj Dhanaraj Frank, Govindan Veeraswami Gopi
DOI: 10.11609/jott.10034.18.2.28433-28435
Cited by: 0
References: 3

Abstract

We report a probable first case of in situ field observation of a wild Hump-nosed Pit Viper Hypnale hypnale hunting and feeding. This is based on a direct observation involving an Allapalli Skink Eutropis allapallensis that occurred on 23 May 2024, at 2200 h in Karwar, India. The entire event lasted for 6 m 40 s, while the skink became immobile, eventually died out of envenomation in just 40 s after fang-contact.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Amphibian and Reptile Biology Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Threatened Taxa
Volume
18
Issue
2
Pages
28433–28435
Publication date
26 February 2026
Language
EN