Rare Snake Species Found in Sumatra

Researchers WWF Indonesia, Ridwan Setiawan, discovered snake species tree Sumatran Sumatran pit viper or viper. Named species of Trimeresurus sumatranus it is not a new species, but relatively rare species.

"In Sumatra, it's difficult to find this species. First probably quite often, it's rare," said the researcher who is familiarly called Iwan Podol it.



Iwan said, Trimeresurus sumatranus a venomous snake with a unique style. Basic colored gray, yellow-green patterned snake and has a reddish tail. The size is 1.5 to 2 meters long.

The snake is found precisely in the South Bukit Barisan National Park, Lampung. The area is suitable habitat for the Sumatran pit viper because the condition is moist and rich food source for snakes.

Iwan explained, the snake was discovered during a survey of Sumatran rhino habitats some time ago. Place of discovery is in the area of ​​forest habitat is still awake, that is in primary forest.

Trimeresurus sumatranus, clear Iwan, usually eat frogs, rats forests, and several species of birds. Usually, the snake was found in a small tree branch and still close to the ground.

According to Iwan, snakes are active at night. Distribution of its own habitat in Sumatra, Mentawai, Nias, Borneo, up to Peninsular Malaysia to Thailand.

Today, this rare type of snake was facing the threat. "There are many snakes are hunted. Coraknya serpent is unique, so including one of the hunted. Snakes are also hunted for their toxins," said Iwan.

Threats also come from forest destruction activities. "If the forests are destroyed, damaged habitat, it is also a threat to this snake," said Iwan when contacted Kompas.com.

Stopping forest destruction and hunting are the appropriate steps to maintain the viability of this snake species. With the move anyway, many species can be saved.