Is the Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper venomous?

Yes. The Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper (Metlapilcoatlus occiduus) 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 Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper poisonous?

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

Where does the Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper live?

The Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper has verified records in 4 countries, including Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper

Venomous

Metlapilcoatlus occiduus

Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper — Metlapilcoatlus occiduus, © Juanito Escamilla

3 photographs of the Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper. © Juanito Escamilla.

The Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper (Metlapilcoatlus occiduus) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 4 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 Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper

Common names: Guatemalan jumping pit viper.

Metlapilcoatlus occiduus is a pit viper subspecies endemic to southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

Description

Adults are usually 35–60 cm (13+3⁄4–23+5⁄8 in) in total length. The largest specimens reported are a male of 74.8 cm (29+1⁄2 in) from Baja Verapaz, Guatemala, and a female of 79.5 cm (31+1⁄4 in) from Volcán de Agua, Escuintla, Guatemala. The build is very stout, although not so much as that of M. mexicanus.

Geographic range

Found in southern Mexico (southeastern Chiapas), southern and central Guatemala, and western El Salvador. The type locality given is "Saint-Augustín (Guatemala), versant occidentale de la Córdillère. 610 mètres [2,000 ft] d´altitude". Actually, San Augustín is on the southern slope of Volcán Atitlán.

Habitat

Its habitat includes subtropical wet forest on the Pacific versant from southeastern Chiapas, Mexico to western El Salvador. It also inhabits the pine-oak forest near Guatemala City. It can be found at altitudes varying from 1,000–1,600 m (3,300–5,200 ft).

Taxonomy

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

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper

Is the Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper venomous?: Yes. The Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper (Metlapilcoatlus occiduus) 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 Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Guatemalan Jumping 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 Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper live?: The Guatemalan Jumping Pitviper has verified records in 4 countries, including Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Guatemalan Jumping 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

Guatemala Mexico El Salvador Honduras

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 occiduus

Keep learning

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