Is the Central American Jumping Pit Viper venomous?

Yes. The Central American Jumping Pit Viper (Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus) 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 Central American Jumping Pit Viper poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Central American Jumping Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Central American Jumping Pit Viper live?

The Central American Jumping Pit Viper has verified records in 8 countries, including Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Central American Jumping Pit Viper

Venomous

Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus

Central American Jumping Pit Viper — Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus, © Anthony Mora Aguilar

6 photographs of the Central American Jumping Pit Viper. © Anthony Mora Aguilar.

The Central American Jumping Pit Viper (Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 8 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 Central American Jumping Pit Viper

Common names: Central American jumping pit viper.

Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus is a pit viper species endemic to Mexico and Central America.

Description

Adults grow to an average of 50–70 cm (about 20–28 inches) in total length. The maximum total length is 86.7 cm (34+1⁄8 in) for males and 97.9 cm (38+1⁄2 in) for females. The body is extremely stout.

Geographic range

Found in the Atlantic drainage from Mexico (in the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas) south to the Canal Zone in Panama, both slopes of Costa Rica and Panama. Occurs at elevations of 40–1,600 m (130–5,250 ft). The type locality given is "Coban, capitale de la province de la Véra-Paz, (République de Guatemala, Amérique centrale)" (Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala).

Taxonomy

Regarded as a full species, Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus, by Campbell and Lamar (2004).

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Central American Jumping Pit Viper

Is the Central American Jumping Pit Viper venomous?: Yes. The Central American Jumping Pit Viper (Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus) 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 Central American Jumping Pit Viper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Central American Jumping Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Central American Jumping Pit Viper 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 Central American Jumping Pit Viper live?: The Central American Jumping Pit Viper has verified records in 8 countries, including Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Central American Jumping Pit Viper

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

Guatemala Costa Rica Honduras Mexico Belize Panama Nicaragua United States of America

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: Metlapilcoatlus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus

Keep learning

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