Nov 27, 2017
(Bothrops erythromelas) Caatinga lancehead or the jararaca-da-seca
Habitat: Most common in dry & semi-arid thorn forest & open rocky areas, but also reported from along river margins, only in northeastern Brazil. May be found under mats of terrestrial bromeliads. Found up to 2,000 m elevation.
Activity and Behavior: Not much known; reportedly responsible for many snakebites within its range, but reported human fatalities not well documented.
Venom: Characteristics of Bothrops venom primarily is hemotoxic & often have cytotoxic factors; envenomation can result in systemic internal bleeding & local tissue destruction. B. erythromelas venom lacks thrombin-like activity because of its fibrinogenolytic effect.
