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Viperidae

Rainforest Hognose Viper

Venomous

Porthidium nasutum

Rainforest Hognose Viper
Porthidium nasutum, © EDMILSON FERNANDO JARQUIN LOPEZ
Rainforest Hognose ViperRainforest Hognose ViperRainforest Hognose Viper

4 photographs of the Rainforest Hognose Viper. © EDMILSON FERNANDO JARQUIN LOPEZ.

The Rainforest Hognose Viper (Porthidium nasutum) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 10 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 Rainforest Hognose Viper

Common names: hognosed pit viper, hognosed pit viper, rainforest hognosed pit viper, horned hog-nosed viper.

Porthidium nasutum is a pit viper species native to southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America. No subspecies are recognized as being valid.

Description

Adults of Porthidium nasutum are usually less than 40 centimetres (16 in) in total length (tail included), and rarely more than 60 centimetres (24 in). Females are considerably larger than males. Both sexes are moderately stout.

Geographic distribution

Porthidium nasutum is found in southern Mexico southward through Central America to western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador in South America. Inhabits the Atlantic lowlands from Mexico (Tabasco and Chiapas) through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica to eastern Panama and northwestern Colombia. In the Pacific lowlands, it occurs in southwestern Costa Rica, central and eastern Panama, continuing on to northwestern Ecuador. The type locality given is "Pansos [Panzós], sur les bords du Polochic [Alta Verapaz] (Guatémala)".

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Porthidium nasutum is mesic lowland broadleaf or rainforest from sea level to elevations of about 900 m (3,000 ft).

Behavior

Porthidium nasutum is terrestrial.

Reproduction

Porthidium nasutum is ovoviviparous.

Conservation status

The species Porthidium nasutum is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is a widespread and moderately common species that is not facing major threats.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Rainforest Hognose Viper

Is the Rainforest Hognose Viper venomous?
Yes. The Rainforest Hognose Viper (Porthidium nasutum) 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 Rainforest Hognose Viper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Rainforest Hognose Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Rainforest 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 Rainforest Hognose Viper live?
The Rainforest Hognose Viper has verified records in 10 countries, including Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Rainforest 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

Costa RicaColombiaEcuadorGuatemalaHondurasPanamaMexicoNicaraguaBelizeUnited States of America

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 nasutum

Keep learning

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