| Lachesis acrochorda | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Lachesis |
| Species: | L. acrochorda |
| Binomial name | |
| Lachesis acrochorda (García, 1896) | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
Lachesis acrochorda, also known commonly as the Chocoan bushmaster, [3] is a species of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is native to Central America and South America.
L. acrochorda was formerly considered a synonym of Lachesis stenophrys . [2]
L. acrochorda has a light brown head and black postocular stripes that can range from 1-2 scales wide. The longest recorded length of a male individual in Ecuador was 2.327 m (7.63 ft); for females it was 2.342 m (7.68 ft). [2]
L. acrochorda is found in Panama, northern and western Colombia (in the Departments of Chocó, Cauca and Antioquia), and northwestern Ecuador. [1]
The preferred natural habitat of L. acrochorda is lowland forest, premontane wet forest, and montane wet forest, mostly in mature forests, at altitudes from sea level to 1,600 m (5,200 ft). [1]
L. acrochorda is terrestrial and nocturnal. [1]
The venom of L. acrochorda is extremely dangerous in that a snakebite incident will result in a 90% chance of death. Its venom can cause serious side effects, such as vasodilation and blood anti-coagulation. [4]
Lachesis is a genus of venomous pit vipers in the family Viperidae. Member species are found in forested areas of the Neotropics. The generic name refers to one of the Three Fates, Lachesis, who determined the length of the thread of life. Four species are currently recognized as being valid.
Cerastes cerastes, commonly known as the Saharan horned viper or the desert horned viper, is a venomous species of viper native to the deserts of Northern Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Levant. It is often easily recognized by the presence of a pair of supraocular "horns", although hornless individuals do occur. Three subspecies have been described.
Bothrops atrox — also known as the common lancehead, fer-de-lance, barba amarilla and mapepire balsain — is a highly venomous pit viper species found in the tropical lowlands of northern South America east of the Andes, as well as the Caribbean island of Trinidad. No subspecies are currently recognized.
The Gaboon viper, also called the Gaboon adder, is a viper species found in the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. It is the largest member of the genus Bitis, and it has the longest fangs of any venomous snake – up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length – and the highest venom yield of any snake. No subspecies are recognized.
Lachesis muta, also known as the Southern American bushmaster or Atlantic bushmaster, is a venomous pit viper species found in South America, as well as the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Bothriechis schlegelii, known commonly as the eyelash viper, is a species of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is native to Central and South America. Small and arboreal, this species is characterized by a wide array of color variations, as well as the superciliary scales above the eyes. It is the most common of the green palm-pitvipers, and is often present in zoological exhibits. The specific name schlegelii honors Hermann Schlegel, who was a German ornithologist and herpetologist. For other common names see below. No subspecies are currently recognized as being valid.
Terciopelo is a species of pit viper found at low to moderate elevations in northeast Mexico and Central America, and into South America where it is known from elevations up to 2600 meters in the Colombian and Ecuadorian Andes, as well as into 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 pit vipers. It is light to dark brown in color, often with yellow zig-zag-shaped lines on each side of the body. Dubbed "the ultimate pit-viper" for its large size, fangs and venom yield, it has a fearsome reputation, responsible for the most snakebites within its range because of its defensive temperament and proximity to human residence. However, like other venomous snakes, it avoids confrontation with humans whenever possible. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bothrocophias is a genus of venomous snakes, pit vipers in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae, known by the common name toadheaded pit vipers. The genus is endemic to northern South America.
Calloselasma is a monotypic genus created for a venomous pit viper species, Calloselasma rhodostoma, which is endemic to Southeast Asia from Thailand to northern Malaysia and on the island of Java. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Vipera aspis is a viper species found in southwestern Europe. Its common names include asp, asp viper, European asp, and aspic viper, among others. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. Bites from this species can be more severe than from the European adder, V. berus; not only can they be very painful, but approximately 4% of all untreated bites are fatal. The specific epithet, aspis, is a Greek word that means "viper." Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
The many-banded snake, also known commonly as the burrowing cobra, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Central Africa. There are three recognized subspecies.
Bothrops ammodytoides is a venomous pit viper species endemic to Argentina. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Crotalus durissus, known as the South American rattlesnake, tropical rattlesnake, and by other names, is a highly venomous pit viper species found in South America. It is the most widely distributed member of its genus. Currently, seven subspecies are recognized.
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.
Porthidium nasutum is a venomous pitviper species found in southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Lachesis stenophrys, commonly called the Central American bushmaster, is a species of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is native to Central America.
Lachesis melanocephala is a venomous pit viper species found in Costa Rica and Panama. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bothrocophias campbelli, commonly known as Campbell's toadheaded viper, the Ecuadorian toadheaded pitviper, and víbora boca de sapo in Spanish, is a species of venomous pitviper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to South America. No subspecies are currently recognized.
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.
Snakebite envenomation is considered a public health problem in Latin America, with an estimated 70,000 cases annually, but due to underreporting, these numbers may be even higher.
 | This snake article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
