Bothrops alternatus
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| Bothrops alternatus Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854 |
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Bothrops alternatus is a venomous pitviper species found in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.[1] Within its range, it is an important cause of snakebite. No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]
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[edit] Description
Large and stout, this species reportedly exceeds 2 m in length, although the verified maximum is 169.0 cm. The average length is 80-120 cm with females being significantly longer and heavier than males.[2]
[edit] Common names
Urutu,[2] wutu,[3] crossed pit viper.[4]
In Argentina, it is referred to as kiririóg-aká-kurussú, mboí cuatía, víbora de la cruz, yarará (Guaraní dialect) and yarará grande. In Brazil it is called boicoatiara, boicotiara (Tupi dialect), coatiara, cotiara (southern Brazil), cruzeira, cruzeiro, jararaca de agosto (Rio grande do Sul, Lagoa dos Patos region), jararaca rabo-de-porco (Rio Grande do Sul), and urutú. In Paraguay it is called mbói-cuatiá, mbói-kwatiara (Gí dialect), and yarará acácusú (Guaraní dialect). In Uruguay it is referred to as crucera, víbora de la cruz and yarará.[2]
[edit] Geographic range
Found in southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina (in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Córdoba, Corrientes, Chaco, Entre Ríos, Formosa, La Pampa, Misiones, San Luis, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán. The type locality is listed as "Amérique méridionale" and "Paraguay."[1]
[edit] Behavior
Terrestrial.[2]
[edit] Venom
An important cause of snakebite within its range, bites are rarely fatal but frequently cause severe local tissue damage.[2]
[edit] See also
- List of crotaline species and subspecies
- Bothrops by common name
- Bothrops by taxonomic synonyms
- Crotalinae by common name
- Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms
- Snakebite
[edit] References
- ^ a b c McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b c d e f Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
- ^ a b Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.
- ^ a b U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.
- ^ Bothrops alternatus (TSN 634851). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 7 November 2006.
[edit] External links
- Bothrops alternatus at the TIGR Reptile Database. Accessed 6 December 2007.
- Video of various species, incl. B. alternatus at YouTube. Accessed 13 December 2007.
