Bothrops leucurus

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Bothrops leucurus
Whitetail Lancehead 01.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bothrops
Species:
B. leucurus
Binomial name
Bothrops leucurus
Wagler, 1824
Synonyms
  • Bothrops leucurus
    Wagler, 1824
  • Bothrops Megaera
    Wagler, 1824 [2]
  • Trimeresurus pradoi
    Hoge, 1948
  • Bothrops leucurus
    — Fenwick et al., 2009 [3]

Bothrops leucurus, commonly known as the whitetail lancehead [1] or the Bahia lancehead, [4] is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Brazil. [2] There are no subspecies which are recognized as being valid. [5] A female owned by YouTuber Venom Central is over six feet long. [6]

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, leucurus, meaning "whitetail", is from the Latin words leucus (white) and urus (tail). [7]

The specific name, pradoi, of the junior synonym Trimeresurus pradoi, is in honor of Brazilian herpetologist Alcides Prado. [8]

Description and Behavior

The color varies from tan to reddish-brown, the pattern varies, from darker and lighter spots, similar to light diagonal dorsolateral lines. It has 23 to 31 rows of dorsal scale of the medium body, the belly is yellowish or whitish in color with dark, brown or gray spots, and irregular spots on the sides. [9] It is a snake with terrestrial behavior, growing on average in 250–1840 mm, mainly found in forests, arid, semi-arid, dry, humid and sub-humid regions. [10]

Geographic range

Bothrops leucurus is found in eastern Brazil along the Atlantic coast from northern Espírito Santo north to Alagoas and Ceará. It occurs more inland in several parts of Bahia. The identity of disjunct populations west of the Rio São Francisco is uncertain. The type locality is listed as "provinciae Bahiae". [2] It inhabits both urban and rural areas. [11]

Reproduction

Bothrops leucurus is viviparous. [3] The gestation period is four months, and a medium-sized litter is 19 young, birth occurs between winter and summer. [10]

Diet

It feeds on rodents, lizards, amphibians, snakes and birds (Martins et al., 2002). [12] with adults feeding on rodents, and juveniles feeding on frogs and lizards.

Venom

The whitetail lancehead is responsible for the most bites in the state of Bahia. The venom contains high fibrinolytic, proteolytic, hemorrhagic and edematogenic activity, and low coagulant activity, which can cause myonecrosis in humans. Symptoms include local pain, edema, erythema and ecchymosis (local symptoms), hemorrhagic and coagulation symptoms, digestive disorders (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea), urinary disorders (oliguria, anuria, hematuria) with headaches, dizziness, hypotension, bradycardia, visual disturbances and tremors. [10]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Bothrops lanceolatus</i> Species of snake

Bothrops lanceolatus — known as the fer-de-lance, Martinican pit viper, and Martinique lancehead — is a species of pit viper endemic to the Caribbean island of Martinique. Some reserve the common name fer-de-lance for this species, while others apply that name to other Bothrops species as well. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Bothrops</i> Genus of snakes

Bothrops is a genus of highly venomous pit vipers endemic to the Neotropics. The generic name, Bothrops, is derived from the Greek words βόθρος, bothros, meaning 'pit', and ὄψ, ops, meaning 'eye' or 'face', together an allusion to the heat-sensitive loreal pit organs. Members of this genus are responsible for more human deaths in the Americas than any other group of venomous snakes. Currently, 48 species are recognized.

<i>Trimeresurus</i> Genus of snakes

Trimeresurus is a genus of venomous pit vipers found in Asia from the Indian Subcontinent throughout Southeast Asia, China, and the Pacific Islands. Currently 44 species are recognized. Common names include Asian palm pit vipers, Asian lanceheads, and green pit vipers.

<i>Bothrops asper</i> Species of snake

The terciopelo is a species of pit vipers, found in Central to South Americas. At low to moderate elevations, its habitat ranges from northeastern Mexico to Colombian and Ecuadorian Andes, as well as Venezuela. With a mass of up to 6 kilograms (13 lb), and a maximal length of 2.5 metres (8.2 ft), the terciopelo is among the largest vipers. It is light to dark brown in color, often with yellowish, zig-zag patterning on either side of its body. Dubbed "the ultimate pit-viper" for its defensiveness, large size, fangs and potent venom yield, it has a fearsome reputation, responsible for the most envenomated snakebites within its range, largely due to its proximity to humans, livestock and pets. Nonetheless, like all venomous snakes, the terciopelo actively avoids contact with humans and larger animals, with bites generally only occurring when the snake is cornered, pursued, or threatened. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Tropidolaemus wagleri</i> Species of snake

Tropidolaemus wagleri, more commonly known as Wagler's pit viper, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. It is sometimes referred to as the temple viper because of its abundance around the Temple of the Azure Cloud in Malaysia.

<i>Bothrops barnetti</i> Species of snake

Bothrops barnetti, also known commonly as Barnett's lancehead and Barnett's pit viper, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Peru. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

<i>Bothrops ammodytoides</i> Species of snake

Bothrops ammodytoides is a venomous pit viper species endemic to Argentina. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Crotalus simus</i> Species of snake

Crotalus simus is a venomous pit viper species found in Mexico and Central America. The specific epithet is Latin for "flat-nosed", likely because its head is blunt compared with lanceheads (Bothrops). Three subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden lancehead</span> Species of snake

Bothrops insularis, commonly known as the golden lancehead, is a highly venomous pit viper species found exclusively on the Ilha da Queimada Grande, off the coast of São Paulo state, in Brazil. The species is named for the light yellowish-brown color of its underside and for its head shape that is characteristic of the genus Bothrops. No subspecies of Bothrops insularis are currently recognized. It is one of the most venomous snakes in Latin America.

Bothrops pirajai is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Brazil. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

<i>Bothrops neuwiedi</i> Species of snake

Bothrops neuwiedi is a highly venomous pit viper species endemic to South America. This relatively small snake has a wide range and is a major source of snakebite in Argentina. It was named after German naturalist Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied (1782-1867), who made important collections in Brazil (1815-1817). Seven subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Bothrops erythromelas</i> Species of snake

Bothrops erythromelas, commonly known as the Caatinga lancehead or the jararaca-da-seca, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is endemic to Brazil.

<i>Bothrops fonsecai</i> Species of snake

Bothrops fonsecai, also known commonly as Fonseca's lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.

<i>Bothrops lutzi</i> Species of snake

Bothrops lutzi, the Cerrado lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Central eastern Brazil. Within the country, it can be found in states such as: Minas Gerais, Bahia, Goiás, Tocantins, Piauí, and Ceará. The South American viper has sparked an interest from the scientific community due to its venom, as it is believed to have some therapeutic potential. Scientists have found that the venom carried by B. lutzi has antibacterial and antiparasitic effects, which can help fight against microbial resistance by medical patients, as well as parasitic diseases like leishmaniosis and Chagas’ disease.

<i>Bothrops jonathani</i> Species of snake

Bothrops jonathani, known commonly as Jonathan's lancehead or the Cochabamba lancehead, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to South America.

<i>Bothrocophias lojanus</i> Species of snake

Bothrocophias lojanus, also known commonly as the Lojan lancehead in English, and macanchi or macaucho in Spanish, is a species of venomous pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to northwestern South America.

<i>Bothrops moojeni</i> Species of snake

Bothrops moojeni, commonly known in English as the Brazilian lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is a pit viper endemic to South America.

<i>Bothrops pictus</i> Species of snake

Bothrops pictus, commonly known in English as the desert lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to South America.

<i>Bothrops venezuelensis</i> Species of snake

Bothrops venezuelensis, or the Venezuelan lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is endemic to South America.

References

  1. 1 2 Silveira, A.L.; Prudente, A.L. da C.; Argôlo , A.J.S.; Abrahão, C.R.; Nogueira, C. de C.; Strüssmann, C.; Loebmann, D.; Barbo, F.E.; Franco, F.L.; Costa, G.C.; de Moura, G.J.B.; Zaher, H. el D.; Borges-Martins, M.; Martins, M.R.C.; Oliveira , M.E.; Hoogmoed, M.S.; Marques, O.A.V.; Passos, P.G.H.; Bérnils, R.S.; Kawashita-Ribeiro, R.A.; Sawaya, R.J.; Guedes da Costa, T.B. (2021). "Bothrops leucurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T50957058A123739631. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T50957058A123739631.en . Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN   978-1-893777-00-2 (series). ISBN   978-1-893777-01-9 (volume).
  3. 1 2 Bothrops leucurus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  4. ↑ List of Bothrops Complex by scientific name Archived November 11, 2006, at the Wayback Machine at Jadin Expeditions. Retrieved 6 November 2006.
  5. ↑ "Bothrops leucurus ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 6 November 2006.
  6. ↑ "Top 3 Amazons Deadliest | Fer de Lance vs Bushmasters vs Rattlesnakes | MONSTER Deadly Snakes". 25 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-17– via YouTube.
  7. ↑ Wright AH, Wright AA (1957). Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Ithaca and London: Comstock Publishing Associates, a division of Cornell University Press. 1,105 pp. (in 2 volumes). ("English equivalents of Latin names", p. 3).
  8. ↑ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Bothrops pradoi, p. 210).
  9. ↑ "Living Hazards Database (LHD) – Search by Scientific Name" (PDF). Acq.osd.mil. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 Lira-da-Silva, Rejâne Maria (2009-04-08). "Bothrops leucurus Wagler 1824 (Serpentes, Viperidae): natural history, venom and envenomation". Gazeta Médica da Bahia . 79 (Supl. 1): 56–65.
  11. ↑ Grego, K. F.; Alves, J. a. S.; Albuquerque, L. C. Rameh de; Fernandes, W. (December 2006). "Referências hematológicas para a jararaca de rabo branco (Bothrops leucurus) recém capturadas da natureza" [Hematological references for wild recently-caught white-tailed lancehead (Bothrops leucurus)]. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (in Portuguese). 58 (6): 1240–1243. doi: 10.1590/S0102-09352006000600040 .
  12. ↑ "Summary identification charts: lizards and snakes", Britain's Reptiles and Amphibians, Princeton: Princeton University Press, pp. 36–38, 2011-12-31, doi:10.1515/9780691206813-010, ISBN   978-0-691-20681-3 , retrieved 2020-09-15

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