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Viperidae

Slender Hognose Viper

Venomous

Porthidium ophryomegas

Slender Hognose Viper
Porthidium ophryomegas, © Malo Ramírez
Slender Hognose ViperSlender Hognose ViperSlender Hognose ViperSlender Hognose ViperSlender Hognose Viper

6 photographs of the Slender Hognose Viper. © Malo Ramírez.

The Slender Hognose Viper (Porthidium ophryomegas) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 6 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 Slender Hognose Viper

Common names: slender hognosed pitviper, western hog-nosed viper.

Porthidium ophryomegas is a venomous pitviper species found in Central America. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Description

Adults usually grow to a length of 40–60 cm (16–24 in) and have a relatively slender build. Females grow larger than males and are often more than 60 cm (24 in) in length, while males are usually about 45 cm (18 in). One exceptional specimen, a female, was reported to measure 77 cm (30 in).

The color pattern consists of a tan, brown, gray or grayish-brown ground color overlaid with a narrow white, yellow or rust brown vertebral stripe and 24–40 dark brown to almost black blotches that oppose or alternate across the vertebral line. The blotches have thin white borders that extend at roughly a right angle from the vertebral line.

Geographic range

Found in Central America in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The type locality given is "les terres chaudes du versant occidental de la Cordillère Escuintla (Guatémala)" (= warm regions on western slope of Cordillera, Escuintla, Guatemala).

Habitat

Occurs in seasonally dry forests, including tropical dry forests, arid forests, subtropical dry forests, and the more arid parts of tropical moist forests.

Behavior

When threatened, these snakes have been known to defend themselves vigorously, often striking with such force that the body is thrown forwards or even leaves the ground.

Feeding

The diet consists of rodents and lizards. Juveniles feed mostly on lizards, as well as small frogs if available.

Reproduction

Ovoviviparous, females give birth to live young that are about 6 inches (15 cm) in length.

Venom

One death was confirmed in August, 2022. They are quick to strike and several cases of serious envenomation have required hospitalization. According to Bolaños (1984), of the 477 cases of snakebite in Costa Rica in 1979, three were due to these snakes.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Slender Hognose Viper

Is the Slender Hognose Viper venomous?
Yes. The Slender Hognose Viper (Porthidium ophryomegas) 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 Slender Hognose Viper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Slender Hognose Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Slender 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 Slender Hognose Viper live?
The Slender Hognose Viper has verified records in 6 countries, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Slender Hognose Viper eat?
The diet consists of rodents and lizards. Juveniles feed mostly on lizards, as well as small frogs if available.

If you are bitten by the Slender 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 RicaGuatemalaHondurasNicaraguaEl SalvadorUnited 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 ophryomegas

Keep learning

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