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Definition of island pit viper
island pit viper
Plural:island pit vipers
island pit viper Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A highly venomous species of pit viper (Trimeresurus insularis) native to the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, notable for its prehensile tail and vivid coloration, which ranges from bright green to a striking turquoise blue.
Example
"The vivid blue variant of the island pit viper has become highly sought after by wildlife photographers due to its striking appearance against the tropical foliage."
Word Origin & Etymology
A descriptive common name combining its endemic habitat (islands, primarily the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia) and its classification as a pit viper, named for the heat-sensing loreal pits located between the eye and nostril.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Island pit viper. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/island pit viper