Hypnale

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Hypnale, the hump-nosed vipers, are a small group of venomous pit vipers found only in Sri Lanka and southwestern India. The genus has three species, and none of them have subspecies. All share a distinctive upturned snout that gives them a hump-nose look, and they grow up to about 55 cm in total length. They have stout bodies for vipers, with relatively short tails (about 11–18% of their length in males and 11–16% in females).

They live in a variety of habitats from sea level up to at least 1,829 meters, including dense jungles, dry forests, rainforests, plantations, and sometimes near human dwellings. They are mostly nocturnal but can be seen resting in shade or moving on cloudy days. They are generally not aggressive and rarely bite unless restrained or injured.

Their diet includes lizards, snakes, frogs, reptile eggs, and small mammals. All Hypnale species give birth to live young (viviparous). A newly described species called Hypnale sp. Amal has been reported, but it has not yet been officially assigned a species name. Some researchers think Hypnale may be closely related to the genus Calloselasma.