As with all pit vipers, the Pope's Pit Viper has heat-sensing pit organs on the side of its head, located between its eye and nostril.

VENOMOUS! This snake is semi-dangerous. It has a very strong hemotoxic venom. Its bite is painful, and may cause strong swelling around the bite wound. In severe envenoming its is potentially lethal. Besides local pain, its bite may further lead to swelling, blistering, coagulopathy, bleeding, and necrosis. All cases should be treated as urgent and potentially lethal. Thailand Antivenom Code: SAsTRC01