Is the Bothrocophias tulitoi venomous?

Yes. The Bothrocophias tulitoi 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 tulitoi poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Bothrocophias tulitoi is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Bothrocophias tulitoi live?

The Bothrocophias tulitoi has verified records in 1 country, including Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Bothrocophias tulitoi

Venomous

This species has no widely used English common name.

Bothrocophias tulitoi, (c) jhonmanriquejf, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

3 photographs of the Bothrocophias tulitoi. (c) jhonmanriquejf, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

Bothrocophias tulitoi 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 tulitoi

Bothrocophias tulitoi is a species of venomous pit viper found in Colombia. It is named in honour of Professor Tulio Manuel Angarita Serrano, father of Angarita-Sierra and advocate for rights in education in Colombia, known as Tulito by his colleagues, friends, and relatives.

Description

Bothrocophias tulitoi can be distinguished by its specific scale counts, 27 or less dark brown bands and/or blotches with pale centers as well as its bright red or orange speckles and black spots on its tail. It also displays a creamy white or pale yellow underbelly, with darkly pigmented edges and spots on the sides turning heavily mottled with dark brown pigment toward the darkly pigmented tail.

B. tulitoi exhibits sexual dimorphism. This is displayed in their specific scale counts as well as their colouring - with males displaying more melanism while females display more cream-coloured head markings.

B. tulitoi also changes depending on its age - neonates and juveniles display pale yellow underbellies with conspicuous banded markings, these markings fade towards the head in adult specimens.

Venom

Bites from Bothrocophias tulitoi may cause symptoms such as oedema, pain, erythema, ecchymosis, paresthesia, phlyctens, paresthesia, bruises, sickness, vomiting, vertigo, bradycardia, gingivorrhea, muscular weakness, hematuria, hypotension, abdominal pain and altered vision.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Bothrocophias tulitoi

Is the Bothrocophias tulitoi venomous?: Yes. The Bothrocophias tulitoi 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 tulitoi poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Bothrocophias tulitoi is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Bothrocophias tulitoi 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 tulitoi live?: The Bothrocophias tulitoi has verified records in 1 country, including Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Bothrocophias tulitoi

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.

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 tulitoi

Keep learning

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