Bothriechis aurifer

Common names: yellow-blotched palm-pitviper.^[2]

Bothriechis aurifer is a venomous pitviper species found in Mexico and Guatemala. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[3]

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Description

Adults generally grow to less than 70 cm in length, but sometimes to over 1 m. Relatively slender and green with a prehensile tail.^[2]

Geographic range

Found in Mexico in the mountains of eastern Chiapas, and in northern Guatemala. Occurs in cloud forest at 1200-2300 m altitude. The type locality given is "Cobán, [Alta] Vera Paz, Guatemala."^[1]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1ab(iii,v) (v3.1, 2001).^[4] A species is listed as such when the best available evidence indicates that the extent of occurrence is estimated to be less than 20,000 km², the population to be severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than 10 locations, and that a continuing decline has been observed, inferred or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat and in the number of mature individuals. It is therefore considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. The population trend is down. Year assessed: 2007.^[5]

See also

• List of crotaline species and subspecies
• Crotalinae by common name
• Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References