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Jumping viper snake – how to identify, avoid their habitat, and treatment for their bite.

Mexican Jumping Viper

Jumping viper
Bothrops nummifer (or Atropoides)

Mexican Jumping ViperDescription: It has a stocky, thick body. Its ground color varies from grayish-brown to gray or reddish-brown with dark brown or black dorsal blotches.  It has no pattern on its head.  The head is large, with small eyes and broad, round snout.

Jumping vipers have broad heads and small eyesCharacteristics: It is chiefly a nocturnal snake bit in some areas they are also active during the day. It typically comes out in the early evening hours to feed on lizards, rodents, and frogs. As the name implies, this species can strike with such force that it actually leaves the ground. Its venom is hemotoxic. Humans have died from the bites inflicted by large jumping vipers. They often hide under fallen logs and piles of leaves and are difficult to see.

They tend to bite repeatedly (chew) the victim.  If bitten, they must be removed quickly or they will inflict several puncture wounds.

Jumping ViperSymptom: Pain and swelling.

Treatment: The Jumping Viper tends to bite, hold on, and chew and may require a knife or similar object to pry off the victim.  Use common methods for treating snake bites.

Habitat: Found in rain forests, on plantations, and on wooded hillsides.  They typically feed on small rodents and frogs.

Length: Average 60 centimeters (24 inches), maximum 120 centimeters (48 inches).

Distribution: Found primarily in Mexico and Central America.  Specifically the Jumping Viper is native to Southern Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador.

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