| Metlapilcoatlus nummifer | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Metlapilcoatlus |
| Species: | M. nummifer |
| Binomial name | |
| Metlapilcoatlus nummifer (Rüppell, 1845) | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Metlapilcoatlus nummifer, commonly known as Mexican jumping pit viper [2] or jumping viper, [3] is a pit viper species endemic to Mexico.
Adults are short and exceedingly stout, commonly growing to 18–24 inches (46–61 centimetres) in total length. The snout is rounded with a sharp canthus. [3]
At midbody there are 23–27 rows of dorsal scales that are strongly keeled, tubercular in large specimens. The ventral scales are 121–135, while the subcaudals are 26–36 and mostly single. The eye is separated from the labial scales by 3–4 rows of small scales. [3]
The color pattern consists of a tan, light brown or gray ground color that is overlaid with a series of around 20 dark brown or black rhomboid blotches. The lower tips of these blotches often connect with spots on the flanks to form narrow crossbands. The top of the head is dark with oblique postorbital stripes, below which the side of the head is a lighter color. The belly is whitish, occasionally with dark brown blotches. [3]
These snakes have sometimes been mistaken for young bushmasters ( Lachesis muta ), but can easily be identified by their lack of a specialized tail tip. [3]
Found in eastern Mexico from San Luis Potosí southeastward on the Atlantic versant and lowlands. Found in various types of forest, including cloud forest and rain forest at 40–1,600 m (130–5,250 ft) altitude. The type originally lacked locality information, but apparently "Mexico" was filled in some time later. A restriction to Teapa, Tabasco, Mexico, was proposed by Burger (1950). [1] Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus and Metlapilcoatlus occiduus were both formerly considered subspecies.
This species was classified as Least Concern (LC) when last assessed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in March of 2007, though this assessment is annotated as "needs updating" by the organization. [4] The species is currently classified as threatened by the government of Mexico. [5] [6]
Metlapilcoatlus is a genus of pit vipers endemic to Mexico and Central America. Six species are currently recognized. The common names suggest they are able to leap at an attacker, but this is likely exaggerated. Common names for the species include jumping pitvipers and jumping vipers. The genus name comes from the Nahuatl name metlapilcohuatl, which means of the oblong grindstone held in the hand when grinding corn—alluding to the snake's short, stocky body.
The eastern massasauga is a rattlesnake species found in central and eastern North America from southern Ontario in Canada and throughout the Midwestern and Eastern United States. Like all rattlesnakes, it is a pit viper and is venomous; it is the only species of venomous snake in Ontario.
Protobothrops mucrosquamatus is a venomous pit viper species endemic to Asia. Common names include: brown-spotted pit viper, Taiwanese habu and pointed-scaled pit viper. No subspecies are currently recognized. The species was first described by Theodore Cantor in 1839.
Trimeresurus cantori, commonly known as Cantor's pit viper or Cantor's pitviper, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the Subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India. It was named after Theodore Edward Cantor (1809-1860), a Danish naturalist serving as a surgeon with the East India Company in Calcutta. No subspecies are recognized as being valid.
The terciopelo is a species of pit vipers, found from north-east Mexico to northern South America. 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.
Bothriechis lateralis is a pit viper species found in the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Crotalus basiliscus, known as the Mexican west coast rattlesnake, Mexican green rattler, and also by other names, is a species of pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to western Mexico. Like all other pit vipers, it is venomous. The specific name, basiliscus, is derived from the Greek word for king, βασιλισκος, and alludes to this snake's large size and potent venom. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Crotalus oreganus, commonly known as the Western rattlesnake or northern Pacific rattlesnake, is a venomous pit viper species found in western North America from the Baja California Peninsula to the southern interior of British Columbia.
Crotalus atrox tortugensis is a venomous pit viper subspecies found only on Tortuga Island in the Gulf of California.
Bothriechis bicolor is a pit viper species found in southern Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. The specific name refers to the contrasting ventral and dorsal colors. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Metlapilcoatlus olmec is a pit viper species found in Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bothriechis aurifer is a pit viper species found in Mexico and Guatemala. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Mixcoatlus barbouri is a pit viper species endemic to Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Ovophis okinavensis, commonly known as the hime habu (ヒメハブ), Ryukyu Island pit viper, and the Okinawan pitviper, is a venomous pitviper species found in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus is a pit viper species endemic to Mexico and Central America.
Metlapilcoatlus occiduus is a pit viper subspecies endemic to southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
Hypnale nepa, the Sri Lankan hump-nosed viper, is a venomous pitviper species endemic to Sri Lanka where it is known as මූකලන් තෙලිස්සා in Sinhala. Earlier thought that Hypnale walli and Hypnale nepa were two distinct species, but it is now accepted that it is the same species and Hypnale walli is a synonym name. Relatively small, they are distinguished by a strongly upturned snout. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Gloydius brevicauda is a pit viper species endemic to China and the Korean Peninsula.
Bothrops medusa is a venomous pitviper species endemic to Venezuela. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bothrops punctatus is a venomous pitviper species found in Ecuador, Mostly in the Chocó Department in Western Colombia and Panama. No subspecies are currently recognized.
