Bothrops atrox Natural history Lanceheads, genus bothrops
- THOMPSON M,
The genus Bothrops (family Viperidae) contains 31 species; members of this group are called lanceheads owing to the distinctive head shape seen in most species. The genus is distributed primarily in South America, with one species, B. asper, ranging through Central America and into northern Mexico. Three insular endemic species are recognised: B. caribbaeus on Saint Lucia, B. insularis on Ilha Queimada Grande off the coast of Brazil, and B. lanceolatus on Martinique; Bothrops asper occurs on the island of Trinidad as well as the South American mainland. These are terrestrial snakes, although all can climb (and some do so frequently). Some species are small, seldom exceeding 500-700 mm in total length, while others may reach 2. 5 m or more.
Published allegations of the occurrence of B. lanceolatus on the South American mainland are without foundation.
Snakes of the genus Bothrops are responsible for more human morbidity in the New World than any other group of venomous snakes; the most important species are B. asper in Central America and B. atrox and B. jararaca in South America. Mortality without treatment is about 7%, but with treatment it is reduced to 0. 5%-3%.
Bothrops atrox
Homoeopathic name and abbreviation: Bothrops atrox; Both-a.
Synonyms: Trigonocephalus atrox, Vipera atrox, Trimeresurus atrox.
Common names: Common lancehead
Description:
Distribution: South and Central America
Range: Mexico through Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama, to Colunbia, Venezuela, the Guinas, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.
Venom:
Authority: Linnaeus, 1758
Comments: Not the true fer-de-lance (Bothrops lanceolatus) which is only found in Martinique. It is responsible for one-third of the 2,000 annual deaths from snake bites in South America. There are disputes about Bothrops asper-atrox. Bothrops atrox has a number of subspecies.
(H A Roberts)
HABITAT Bothrops atrox occupies a variety of habitats, including lower montane wet forest, savanna/gallery forest, tropical deciduous forest, and rainforest. Generally, this species prefers damp locales; it is found in close association with creeks, lakes, or river concourses, However, B. atrox is also encountered frequently in cultivated areas, moist fields, and around human habitations, including weedy lots in urban areas.
The dorsal colour and pattern are extremely variable, and the snake may be an overall olive, brown, tan, grey, yellow. or (rarely) rusty hue.
Bothrops atrox is a notorious cause of snakebite envenomation in humans. Its propensity for living near humans coupled with its potent venom combine to make it one of the most medically important snakes in the Neotropics.
The genus Bothrops (family Viperidae) contains 31 species; members of this group are called lanceheads owing to the distinctive head shape seen in most species. The genus is distributed primarily in South America, with one species, B. asper, ranging through Central America and into northern Mexico. Three insular endemic species are recognised: B. caribbaeus on Saint Lucia, B. insularis on Ilha Queimada Grande off the coast of Brazil, and B. lanceolatus on Martinique; Bothrops asper occurs on the island of Trinidad as well as the South American mainland. These are terrestrial snakes, although all can climb (and some do so frequently). Some species are small, seldom exceeding 500-700 mm in total length, while others may reach 2. 5 m or more.
Published allegations of the occurrence of B. lanceolatus on the South American mainland are without foundation.
Snakes of the genus Bothrops are responsible for more human morbidity in the New World than any other group of venomous snakes; the most important species are B. asper in Central America and B. atrox and B. jararaca in South America. Mortality without treatment is about 7%, but with treatment it is reduced to 0. 5%-3%.
Bothrops atrox
Homoeopathic name and abbreviation: Bothrops atrox; Both-a.
Synonyms: Trigonocephalus atrox, Vipera atrox, Trimeresurus atrox.
Common names: Common lancehead
Description:
Distribution: South and Central America
Range: Mexico through Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama, to Colunbia, Venezuela, the Guinas, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.
Venom:
Authority: Linnaeus, 1758
Comments: Not the true fer-de-lance (Bothrops lanceolatus) which is only found in Martinique. It is responsible for one-third of the 2,000 annual deaths from snake bites in South America. There are disputes about Bothrops asper-atrox. Bothrops atrox has a number of subspecies.
(H A Roberts)
HABITAT Bothrops atrox occupies a variety of habitats, including lower montane wet forest, savanna/gallery forest, tropical deciduous forest, and rainforest. Generally, this species prefers damp locales; it is found in close association with creeks, lakes, or river concourses, However, B. atrox is also encountered frequently in cultivated areas, moist fields, and around human habitations, including weedy lots in urban areas.
The dorsal colour and pattern are extremely variable, and the snake may be an overall olive, brown, tan, grey, yellow. or (rarely) rusty hue.
Bothrops atrox is a notorious cause of snakebite envenomation in humans. Its propensity for living near humans coupled with its potent venom combine to make it one of the most medically important snakes in the Neotropics.
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