Animal Venom Research International, Hump Nosed Viper, Hypnale hypnale

The hump-nosed viper, Hypnale hypnale, is responsible for more morbidity related bites than any other species in Sri Lanka. The native name for the snake is, Kuna kutuwa, which means "Rotten bone", probably due to the necrotic reactions of the bite. Only 2% of the people bitten by this snake die.

This species is often found in leaf litter, buttresses of trees, rocks or on low vegetation, within evergreen, monsoon and moist deciduous forests. It is common in tea, rubber, cocoa and coconut plantations.