luckyatabo's Identifications

'Sleeping beauty'

Resting in a depression on a large vine (lliana) along the trail. It is here for hours, until the rain poured.

Inasmuch as its venom is lethal, the viper is quite vulnerable in this passive state - can easily be picked up and killed by locals, especially for food in this region. In fact, this viper species, like the gaboon, is a popular animal protein source.
Being found behind, or beyond the cutline of the forest reserve determines survival - life, or death for the spectacular wildlife.