Belize is a country with a rich variety of wildlife, due to its unique position between North and South America, and a wide range of climates and habitats for plant and animal life. Belize's low human population, and approximately 8,867 square miles (22,970 km2) of undistributed land, provides an ideal home for more than 5000 species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals — including armadillos, snakes, and monkeys.
Bothrops lanceolatus — known as the fer-de-lance, Martinican pit viper, and Martinique lancehead — is a species of pit viper generally considered endemic to the island of Martinique. No one has satisfactorily explained why it has flourished there but is unknown on nearly all other Caribbean islands. 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.
Bothrops is a genus of pit vipers endemic to Central and South America. The generic name, Bothrops, is derived from the Greek words βόθρος, bothros, meaning "pit", and ώπς, 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, 45 species are recognized.
Ilha da Queimada Grande, also known as Snake Island, is an island off the coast of Brazil in the Atlantic Ocean. It is administered as part of the municipality of Itanhaém in the State of São Paulo. The island is small in size, only 43 hectares, and has a temperate climate. The island's terrain varies considerably, ranging from bare rock to rainforest. It is the only home of the critically endangered, venomous Bothrops insularis, which has a diet of birds. The snakes became trapped on the island when rising sea levels covered up the land that connected it to the mainland. The ensuing selection pressure allowed the snakes to adapt to their new environment, increasing rapidly in population and rendering the island dangerous to public visitation. Queimada Grande is closed to the public in order to protect both people and the snake population; access is only available to the Brazilian Navy and selected researchers vetted by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, the Brazilian federal conservation unit.
Bothrops alternatus is a venomous pit viper species found in South America. Within its range, it is an important cause of snakebite. The specific name, alternatus, which is Latin for "alternating", is apparently a reference to the staggered markings along the body. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bothrops asper is a highly venomous pit viper species, ranging in distribution from southern Mexico to northern South America. It is found in a wide range of lowland habitats, often near human habitations. Because of its proximity to human habitations and its defensive temperament, it is more dangerous to people than many other snakes. This species is the main cause of snakebite incidents within its range. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bothrops leucurus, commonly known as the whitetail lancehead or the Bahia lancehead, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Brazil. There are no subspecies which are recognized as being valid. They can grow up to 170 cm.
Bothrops insularis, commonly known as the golden lancehead, is a highly venomous pit viper species endemic to 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.
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.
Bothrops jararacussu, commonly known in English as the jararacussu, is a highly venomous pit viper species endemic to South America. It's one of the most dreaded snakes in South America and can grow up to 2,20 meters.
Bothrops cotiara is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is endemic to Brazil and Argentina.
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. It belongs to reptile class.
Bothrops fonsecai, or Fonseca's lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Bothrops lutzi, the Cerrado lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Bothrops itapetiningae, or the São Paulo lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
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.
Bothrops marajoensis, or the Marajó lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
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.
Bothrops marmoratus, also known as the marbled lancehead, is a species of snake in the family Viperidae. It is native to Brazil.
2. Hartmann, Marília T., et al. “Feeding Habits and Habitat Use in Bothrops Pubescens (Viperidae, Crotalinae) from Southern Brazil.” Journal of Herpetology, vol. 39, no. 4, 2005, pp. 664–667. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4092860.
