Pitvipers.

Pitvipers are all venomous, There are many species found throughout America. The “pits” referred to in the name are sensory depressions located between the nostrils and eyes. They sense heat and aid the snake in locating warm-blooded prey. Pitvipers have long hypodermic fangs in which a poison duct from modified salivary glands can deliver a lethal dose of biochemically complex toxin that attacks blood cells and vessels, surrounding tissue, and sometimes nerve tissue. Pitvipers tend to rest in a coiled position, which they also assume when danger threatens. Any pitviper may be aggressive in display, raising its head high and vibrating its tail. Rattlesnakes normally have large, triangular-shaped heads and slitted, catlike eyes.

The most famous (or infamous) Neotropic pitviper is the fer-de-lance or echis snake (Bothrops asper). This snake has brown dark diamond patterning along its sides. His average length is 1,2-1,8mts but some individuals reach 2,5 mts. Regardless of size, a fer-de-lance is a potentially lethal snake: even the juveniles are highly venomous. The genus Bothrops are responsible for more human morbidity in the Neotropics than any other group of venomous snakes. Venom is fast acting and painful. It rapidly destroys blood cells and vessels and produces extensive necrosis (descomposition) of tissue around the bite site. Infection can follow and can be massive. Mortality without treatment is about 7% but is reduced between 0,5%-3% if properly treated.