Viperidae
Jonathan's Lancehead
VenomousBothrops jonathani
2 photographs of the Jonathan's Lancehead. © Mateo Tapia.
The Jonathan's Lancehead (Bothrops jonathani) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 2 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 Jonathan's Lancehead
Bothrops jonathani, Jonathan's lancehead, is a species of snake belonging to the family Viperidae, the vipers. This species is found in southern South America.
Taxonomy
Bothrops jonanthani was first formally described in 1994 by the American herpetologist Michael Brown Harvey with its type locality given as roughly 35km north of El Empalme on Highway 4 in Carrasco Province, Cochabamba Department, form an elevation of around 2,800 m (9,200 ft) at 7° 45'S, 65°00'W, Bolivia. This species is classified in the genus Bothrops which is classified within the subfamily Crotalinae, the pit-vipers within the viper family Viperidae.
Etymology
Bothrops jonathani is classified within the genus Bothrops, a name which is derived from the Greek bothros, which means "pit", a reference to the heat-sensing pits located between the eyes and the nostrils of these snakes. The specific name honours Jonathan A. Campbell, the American herpetologist, for his contribution to the study of Neotropical pitvipers.
Description
Bothrops jonathani has a maximum know svl of 800 mm (31 in). It has a complex facial pattern which is made up of a wide, black edged, dark brown bands with white and tan stripes between them. The ventral scales have a white ground colour patterned with grey becoming greyer towards the grey undertail. The dorsal pattern has a tan ground colour with large cream blotches on the back and smaller brown blotches on the sides, these blotches vary in shape and between individuals.
Distribution and habitat
Bothrops jonathani is found at altitudes between 1,600 and 3,500 m (5,200 and 11,500 ft) along the eastern edge of the Altiplano in the Bolivian departments of Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Tarija and probably Chuquisaca and in the Argentine provinces of Jujuy and Salta. It is found among tall grass, shrubs and cacti, typically on steep rocky slopes.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Jonathan's Lancehead
- Is the Jonathan's Lancehead venomous?
- Yes. The Jonathan's Lancehead (Bothrops jonathani) 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 Jonathan's Lancehead poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Jonathan's Lancehead is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Jonathan's Lancehead 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 Jonathan's Lancehead live?
- The Jonathan's Lancehead has verified records in 2 countries, including Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Argentina. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Jonathan's Lancehead?
- Bothrops jonathani is classified within the genus Bothrops, a name which is derived from the Greek bothros, which means "pit", a reference to the heat-sensing pits located between the eyes and the nostrils of these snakes. The specific name honours Jonathan A. Campbell, the American herpetologist, for his contribution to the study of Neotropical pitvipers.
If you are bitten by the Jonathan's Lancehead
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.