Viperidae
Bothrops oligobalius
VenomousThis species has no widely used English common name.
Bothrops oligobalius is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 3 countries.
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 Bothrops oligobalius
Bothrops oligobalius is a species of pit viper from Amapá, Brazil. It has been sighted in the Apaporis River, on the boundary between Brazil and Colombia.
Description
Bothrops oligobalius has a robust body, with a snout-vent length of 24.5 - 80.5 cm and a tail length of 3.5 - 11.3 cm. Their pattern consists of 9 - 13 trapezoidal marks on each side and a checkered pattern on their underside.
Sexual dimorphism
Bothrops oligobalius exhibits sexual dimorphism through scale count, with females generally having more ventral scales than males, and males generally having more subcaudal scales than females.
Etymology
The name 'oligobalius' derives from 'oligos', the Greek word for 'few', and 'balios', the Greek word for 'spotted' or 'dappled'. The combination, meaning 'few spots', references the fact that B. oligobalius displays less markings than B. brazili.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Bothrops oligobalius
- Is the Bothrops oligobalius venomous?
- Yes. The Bothrops oligobalius 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 Bothrops oligobalius poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Bothrops oligobalius is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Bothrops oligobalius 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 Bothrops oligobalius live?
- The Bothrops oligobalius has verified records in 3 countries, including Colombia, French Guiana, Brazil. See the distribution section below for its full range.
If you are bitten by the Bothrops oligobalius
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
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.
Keep learning
- Are Snakes Dangerous? The Real Risk, in PerspectiveMost snakes are harmless and avoid people. Here is the honest picture of snakebite risk worldwide and how to lower your own.
- Snakebite First Aid: What to Do (and What Never to Do)A clear, CDC-based guide to snakebite first aid: the steps that help, the popular myths that hurt, and how to tell a serious bite from a minor one.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.