Bothrops jararaca which is commonly referred to as the Jararaca is a species of highly venomous snake that is native to parts of South America.
This snake is common throughout much of its range and is responsible for a large number of snake bites.
It is sometimes referred to as the Yarara or the Yarara Lancehead.
Jararaca Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The family that the Jararaca belongs to is called Viperidae or simply the Viper family of snakes.
This is one of the most popular families of venomous snakes in the world along with the Elapid family.
Vipers are found throughout most of the world but an interesting fact about vipers is that they are not native to Australia. The majority of venomous snakes in Australia are from the Elapid family.
Even though Australia has ‘Adders’, such as the Common Death Adder, these ‘Adders’ are not related to the ‘Viper’ Adders of Africa and actually belong to the Elapid Family.
Genus
The genus that the Jararaca belongs to is called Bothrops. This is a genus of highly venomous Pit Vipers.
The species of this genus are native to the neotropical regions of Central and South America as well as some of the Caribbean Islands.
The name Bothrops is derived from two Greek words ‘bothros’ and ‘ops’ which translate to ‘pit’ and ‘face’. This is a reference to the snake’s heat sensing pits.
There are currently 48 recognised species in the Bothrops genus. Some of the other species include the Common Lancehead, the Golden Lancehead and the Painted Lancehead.
Species
The scientific name for the Jararaca is Bothrops jararaca and there are currently no recognised sub-species.
The species was first described in 1824 by a German Naturalist named Prince Alexander Philipp Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied.
The scientific name jararaca is derived from the Tupi words ‘yarará’ and ‘ca’ which translate to large snake.
Jararaca Description
The Jararaca is a medium-sized snake, with adult females typically growing to lengths of up to 3ft.
Males are typically smaller, reaching lengths of about 50 to 70cm. However, some individuals may grow larger.
The snake has a relatively stout body, a triangular-shaped head, and distinctive heat-sensitive pits located between its eyes and nostrils.
The Jararaca displays considerable color variation, which can make its identification challenging.
The dorsal coloration can range from brown or grey to olive or yellowish-brown, often featuring a series of dark, irregularly shaped blotches down the length of the body.
The ventral side is usually lighter, ranging from whitish to yellowish. Additionally, the scales may exhibit various patterns, such as speckling or zigzag markings.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Jararaca has a restricted geographical range and is endemic to Brazil.
It is primarily found in the southeastern and southern regions of the country, particularly in the Atlantic Forest biome.
The species’ distribution extends from the state of Bahia in the northeast to Rio Grande do Sul in the south, covering several Brazilian states in between, such as Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Paraná.
Within this range, the Jararaca occupies diverse habitats. It is commonly associated with forested areas, including both primary and secondary forests, as well as montane forests.
The snake is particularly prevalent in the Atlantic Forest, a biome characterized by high biodiversity and significant ecological importance.
It is also known to adapt to disturbed habitats, including agricultural lands and human settlements.
Jararaca Behaviour
The Jararaca is primarily a nocturnal snake, meaning it is most active during the night.
It spends the daytime hours resting and seeking shelter in hidden locations such as leaf litter, rock crevices, or hollow logs.
By being active at night, the snake avoids higher temperatures and reduces the risk of dehydration.
It is a terrestrial snake that primarily moves on the ground. It relies on ambush predation to capture its prey.
It remains motionless, often blending with its surroundings, and waits for unsuspecting prey to approach.
When a suitable target is within striking distance, it rapidly strikes and injects venom into the prey.
The diet of the Jararaca mainly consists of small mammals, such as rodents and bats, but it also preys upon birds, lizards, and amphibians.
The snake uses its heat-sensitive pits, located between its eyes and nostrils, to detect the body heat of its prey, aiding in locating and striking accurately.
Jararaca Venom
One of the notable characteristics of the Jararaca is its venom, which is highly potent and hemotoxic.
The venom contains a complex mixture of enzymes and toxins that can cause extensive tissue damage, interfere with blood clotting, and lead to systemic effects.
Bites from this snake can be potentially life-threatening to humans if not promptly treated with appropriate medical intervention.