Is the Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper venomous?

Yes. The Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper (Bothrocophias myersi) 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 Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper poisonous?

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

Where does the Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper live?

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

Viperidae

Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper

Venomous

Bothrocophias myersi

2 photographs of the Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper. (c) Diego Gómez Hoyos, some rights reserved (CC BY).

The Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper (Bothrocophias myersi) 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 Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper

Bothrocophias myersi, commonly known as the cheeked snake, the Chocoan toadheaded pitviper, the Chocoan toad-headed viper, and the equis red snake, is a species of venomous pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Colombia.

Geographic distribution

Bothrocophias myersi is present in the Pacific departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca in Colombia. It occurs at elevations of 75–200 m (246–656 ft).

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Bothrocophias myersi is forest.

Behavior

Bothrocophias myersi is terrestrial.

Reproduction

Bothrocophias myersi is ovoviviparous.

Etymology

The specific name, myersi, is in honor of American herpetologist Charles William Myers.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper

Is the Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper venomous?: Yes. The Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper (Bothrocophias myersi) 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 Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper 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 Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper live?: The Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper has verified records in 1 country, including Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper?: The specific name, myersi, is in honor of American herpetologist Charles William Myers.

If you are bitten by the Chocoan Toadheaded Pitviper

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 myersi

Keep learning

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