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Viperidae

Dunn's Hognose Viper

Venomous

Porthidium dunni

Dunn's Hognose Viper
Porthidium dunni, © Zac Peterson
Dunn's Hognose ViperDunn's Hognose ViperDunn's Hognose ViperDunn's Hognose ViperDunn's Hognose Viper

6 photographs of the Dunn's Hognose Viper. © Zac Peterson.

The Dunn's Hognose Viper (Porthidium dunni) 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 Dunn's Hognose Viper

Common names: Dunn's hognosed pit viper.

Porthidium dunni is a species of pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Mexico. There are no recognized subspecies.

Etymology

The specific name, dunni, is in honor of American herpetologist Emmett Reid Dunn "in appreciation of his work on American snake fauna".

Description

Adults of P. dunni are usually 30–40 cm (11+3⁄4–15+3⁄4 in) in total length (including tail), with a maximum of 57 cm (22+1⁄2 in). A moderately stout and terrestrial species, the tip of the snout is moderately elevated.

Geographic range

P. dunni is found in southern Mexico in the Pacific lowlands of Oaxaca and western Chiapas.

The type locality given is "the immediate vicinity of the village of Tehuantepec" [Oaxaca, Mexico].

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of P. dunni is forest.

Reproduction

P. dunni is ovoviviparous.

Conservation status

The species P. dunni is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2007). Species are listed as such due to their wide distribution, presumed large population, or because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The population trend is stable. Year assessed: 2007.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Dunn's Hognose Viper

Is the Dunn's Hognose Viper venomous?
Yes. The Dunn's Hognose Viper (Porthidium dunni) 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 Dunn's Hognose Viper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Dunn's Hognose Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Dunn's Hognose 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 Dunn's Hognose Viper live?
The Dunn's Hognose Viper has verified records in 1 country, including Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Dunn's Hognose Viper?
The specific name, dunni, is in honor of American herpetologist Emmett Reid Dunn "in appreciation of his work on American snake fauna".

If you are bitten by the Dunn's Hognose 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.

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

Mexico

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
Porthidium
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Porthidium dunni

Keep learning

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