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Viperidae

Bothrocophias myrringae

Venomous

This species has no widely used English common name.

Bothrocophias myrringae
Bothrocophias myrringae, (c) María del Rosario Martínez Alméciga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Bothrocophias myrringaeBothrocophias myrringae

3 photographs of the Bothrocophias myrringae. (c) María del Rosario Martínez Alméciga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

Bothrocophias myrringae is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 1 country.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family
Viperidae
Danger
high

About the Bothrocophias myrringae

Bothrocophias myrringae, also known as the High-Andean Toad-Headed Pitviper, is a species of venomous pit viper found in Colombia. It is named in honour of the philosophical and conceptual advisor of professor Tulio Manuel Angarita Serrano, Angarita-Sierra's mother, Myriam Sierra Guerrero who contributed to the development of the current Colombian education model - 'Myrringa' being a Spanish nickname meaning "pinch" or "small".

Description

Bothrocophias myrringae can be identified by many characters including specific scale counts, as well as the 28 or more dark brown bands or pairs of blotches on its sides which display pale centers, bright red or orange speckles and black spots on the tail, mottled brown creamy yellow underbelly which forms a white-cream stripe interrupted by dark spots and dark brown pigment toward the tail.

B. myrringae exhibits sexual dimorphism. Females display a creamish or pale yellow in the labial and gular scales. In addition, males usually have mottled brown eyes with orange speckles while females have orange-gold eyes with a peppering of brown.

Behaviour

When threatened, Bothrocophias myrringae is known to vibrate its tail, attempt to bite and to secrete a white substance from its cloaca. These reactions are common in other Toad-Headed vipers (Bothrocophias microphthalmus and Bothrocophias hyoprora) as well as the latter two being common in Viperids as a whole.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Bothrocophias myrringae

Is the Bothrocophias myrringae venomous?
Yes. The Bothrocophias myrringae is venomous and belongs to the Viperidae family (viper). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Bothrocophias myrringae poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Bothrocophias myrringae is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Bothrocophias myrringae dangerous?
This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the Bothrocophias myrringae live?
The Bothrocophias myrringae has verified records in 1 country, including Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Bothrocophias myrringae

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Do

  • Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
  • Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
  • Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
  • Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
  • Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
  • Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

  • Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
  • Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
  • Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
  • Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
  • Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Colombia

More Viperidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
Viperidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Bothrocophias
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Bothrocophias myrringae

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.