Mock viper, Dusky mock viper
Common mock vipers are small mildly-venomous snakes native to Asia. Their coloring varies ranging from grayish-beige to dark brown with dark longitudinal stripes. There are bright yellow and brick-red individuals. There is also a characteristic Y-shaped pattern often visible on top of their heads.
Common mock vipers are found in Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, northeast India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. These snakes live in tropical moist forests often near the water.
Common mock vipers are solitary and active both during the day and at night. They are largely terrestrial but may also climb bushes or trees and hang from branches over the water. When feeling threatened these snakes will form defensive coils and strike in a viper-like fashion.
Common mock vipers are carnivores feeding on frogs and small lizards such as skinks or geckos.
These snakes are ovoviviparous meaning that they give birth to live young. The embryos develop inside eggs that remain in the mother's body until they are ready to hatch.
