Habitat Utilization of Endemic Green Pit Viper (<i>Peltopelor trigonocephalus</i>) in the Wet Zone, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The endemic arboreal pit viper Peltopelor trigonocephalus is restricted to three climatic zones of Sri Lanka. In this study, the habitat utilization of P. trigonocephalus was investigated by active search and the quadrate method between April 2021 and March 2022. Data on 49 individuals of P. trigonocephalus were collected from riparian, forest, and open habitats. A high encounter rate was recorded in riparian habitats which included areas with thick vegetation. Based on Principal Component Analysis, some habitat variables were key determining factors of microhabitat preference of this species. Ambient temperature, distance to stream, canopy cover and light intensity were significantly affecting the occupied microhabitat structure. Ambushing behavior was more prominent and time-consuming than other behaviors, with 42.59% of recorded sit-and-wait hunting activity. The results of this research indicate that P. trigonocephalus actively selects and utilizes the most suitable macro and microhabitats in wet zones, providing crucial insights for the conservation and management of the species as well as its natural habitat.