Is the Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper venomous?

Yes. The Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper (Cerrophidion tzotzilorum) 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 Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper live?

The Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper has verified records in 1 country, including Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Viperidae

Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper

Venomous

Cerrophidion tzotzilorum

2 photographs of the Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper. © Daniel Pineda Vera.

The Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper (Cerrophidion tzotzilorum) 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 Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper

Common names: Tzotzil montane pitviper.

Cerrophidion tzotzilorum is a venomous pit viper species which is native to southern Mexico. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

Etymology

The specific name, tzotzilorum (Latin genitive plural), is in honor of the Tzotzil people.

Description

C. tzotzilorum is terrestrial and moderately stout. Adults probably do not exceed 50 cm (19.5 in) in total length (including tail).

Geographic range

C. tzotzilorum is found in the Meseta Central of Chiapas, Mexico. The type locality given is "10.9 km Jiji ESE San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, elevation 2,320 m [7,610 ft]".

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of C. tzotzilorum is forest.

Diet

C. tzotzilorum is known to prey upon orthopterans and lizards.

Reproduction

C. tzotzilorum is viviparous.

Conservation status

The species C. tzotzilorum is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001). Species are listed as such due to their wide distribution, presumed large population, or because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The population trend is stable. Year assessed: 2007.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper

Is the Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper venomous?: Yes. The Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper (Cerrophidion tzotzilorum) 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 Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Tzotzil Montane Pit 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 Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper live?: The Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper has verified records in 1 country, including Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper eat?: C. tzotzilorum is known to prey upon orthopterans and lizards.
Why is it called the Tzotzil Montane Pit Viper?: The specific name, tzotzilorum (Latin genitive plural), is in honor of the Tzotzil people.

If you are bitten by the Tzotzil Montane Pit 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.

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

Mexico

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: Cerrophidion
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Cerrophidion tzotzilorum

Keep learning

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