Is the Yucatán Hognose Viper venomous?

Yes. The Yucatán Hognose Viper (Porthidium yucatanicum) 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 Yucatán Hognose Viper poisonous?

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

Viperidae

Yucatán Hognose Viper

Venomous

Porthidium yucatanicum

Yucatán Hognose Viper — Porthidium yucatanicum, © Jason Thompson

6 photographs of the Yucatán Hognose Viper. © Jason Thompson.

The Yucatán Hognose Viper (Porthidium yucatanicum) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family.

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 Yucatán Hognose Viper

Common names: Yucatán hognosed pit viper.

Porthidium yucatanicum is a pit viper species found in Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Description

Adults are usually 35–45 cm (13+3⁄4–17+3⁄4 in) in total length, although some specimens may exceed 55 cm (21+3⁄4 in). The females tend to be larger than the males. Moderately stout and terrestrial.

Geographic range

Found in the northern half of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The type locality given is "Chichen Itza, Yucatán" [Mexico].

Conservation status

This species 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 unknown. Year assessed: 2007.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Yucatán Hognose Viper

Is the Yucatán Hognose Viper venomous?: Yes. The Yucatán Hognose Viper (Porthidium yucatanicum) 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 Yucatán Hognose Viper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Yucatán Hognose Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Yucatán 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.

If you are bitten by the Yucatán 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.

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.

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 yucatanicum

Keep learning

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