#jumping pitviper

Venom Characteristics: Not well known, but probably mainly hemotoxic (w/ possible cytotoxic factors). Reportedly similar to A. mexicanus in having relatively less potent venom than other pitvipers found in the same areas (e.g., B. asper). Has envenomated humans, but only recently named, and may have been confused w/ similar species previously. No definitely documented human fatalities have been caused by this species so far.

Unlike most vipers, members of this genus will strike and then hold on and chew. In one case, a machete was used to pry off the jaws. March (1929) wrote that A. mexicanus (A. nummifer) will hang on and make half a dozen punctures unless quickly and forcibly removed. However, the effects of the venom include only transient pain and mild swelling. In one part of Honduras the locals even insist that the snake (A. nummifer) is not venomous. Laboratory studies suggest that Atropoides venoms are unlikely to lead to consumption coagulopathy and incoagulable blood in humans. However, other research revealed that of ten different Costa Rican pit viper venoms tested on mice, that of Atropoides picadoi was the most hemorrhagic.

(Atropoides nummifer mexicanus) Central American jumping pitviper

Venom Characteristics: Mainly hemotoxic, w/ possible cytotoxic factors. Venom reportedly not as potent as that of other pitvipers in the same areas (e.g., Bothrops asper). Main envenomation symptoms usually local pain & swelling. Although a number of human envenomations by this species occur each year, human fatalities reported to have been due to this species, or closely-related species, have not been well documented.

(Atropoides olmec) Olmecan pitviper, Tuxtlan jumping pitviper Primarily hemotoxic. No known antivenom produced.

juvenile

Adelynhoserserpenae Hoser, 2012 Hoser, R. T. 2012. A new genus of Jumping Pitviper from Middle America (Serpentes: Viperidae). Australasian Journal of herpetology 10:33-34. Published 8 April 2012. Full text at http://www.herp.net

Its habitat includes subtropical wet forest on the Pacific versant from southeastern Chiapas, Mexico to western El Salvador. It also inhabits the pine-oak forest near Guatemala City. It can be found at altitudes varying from 1,000–1,600 m (3,300–5,200 ft).