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Viperidae

Manabí Hognose Viper

Venomous

Porthidium arcosae

Manabí Hognose Viper
Porthidium arcosae, © Holguin
Manabí Hognose ViperManabí Hognose ViperManabí Hognose ViperManabí Hognose ViperManabí Hognose Viper

6 photographs of the Manabí Hognose Viper. © Holguin.

The Manabí Hognose Viper (Porthidium arcosae) 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 Manabí Hognose Viper

Porthidium arcosae, or the Manabí hognose pitviper, is an endangered species of hognose pit viper endemic to the central Pacific coast of Ecuador. Originally considered a subspecies of P. lansbergii, P. arcosae was elevated to species rank in 1993.

Description

Porthidium arcosae is a small, triangular headed snake with an upturned snout and alternating beige and brown rectangular markings along its dorsal side. In terms of total length (snout to tail tip) males can reach around 77 cm, with females reaching around 63 cm.

This snake can be distinguished from similar species via its various scale morphologies.

Venom

As with all pitvipers, Porthidium archosae is venomous. Its venom is hemotoxic and causes intense pain, inflammation, and hematomas in humans, but does not appear to be deadly and may be recoverable without the use of antivenom - although this is not covered extensively and is fairly controversia]. They only bite if harassed, instead having evolved to be camouflaged first and foremost.

Conservation

Accurate to March 2026, Porthidium arcosae is considered endangered due to its small habitat range which is shrinking and lowering in quality and the threat of intentional killing from humans.

Habitat

Common in Ecuador, the Manabí hognose pitviper is frequently seen at the end of the rainy season, between April and May. It is generally nocturnal, but may be sighted after heavy rainfall.

Preferring to move on the ground, this snake is considered terrestrial. When resting, they tend to choose hiding spots such as under debris and trunks.

Diet

Ambush hunters, the Manabí hognose pitviper is known eat mostly rodents in adulthood as well as occasionally partaking in cannibalism. Juveniles are known to eat lizards such as seven-lined ameivas, knobbed Pacific iguanas and Peru desert tegus. There is also evidence of these pit vipers eating frogs, other snake species and birds.

Reproduction

Male Manabí hognose pitvipers have been seen to fight over females. This species is also ovoviviparous and known to 'give birth' to up to 11 young at once.

Etymology

Porthidium arcosae is named after Professor Doctor Laura Acros, rector of the Biology Department at Pontífica Universidad Católica del Ecuador for helping the authors with her authority and competence.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Manabí Hognose Viper

Is the Manabí Hognose Viper venomous?
Yes. The Manabí Hognose Viper (Porthidium arcosae) 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 Manabí Hognose Viper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Manabí Hognose Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Manabí 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 Manabí Hognose Viper live?
The Manabí Hognose Viper has verified records in 1 country, including Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Manabí Hognose Viper eat?
Ambush hunters, the Manabí hognose pitviper is known eat mostly rodents in adulthood as well as occasionally partaking in cannibalism. Juveniles are known to eat lizards such as seven-lined ameivas, knobbed Pacific iguanas and Peru desert tegus. There is also evidence of these pit vipers eating frogs, other snake species and birds.
Why is it called the Manabí Hognose Viper?
Porthidium arcosae is named after Professor Doctor Laura Acros, rector of the Biology Department at Pontífica Universidad Católica del Ecuador for helping the authors with her authority and competence.

If you are bitten by the Manabí 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

Ecuador

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 arcosae

Keep learning

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