Bothrops insularis

Common names: golden lancehead.^[2]

Bothrops insularis is a venomous pitviper species found only on a single island off the coast of Brazil. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[3]

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Description

Grows to an average length of 70 cm, although it's maximum length is known to reach at least 118 cm. Despite its arboreal habits, it lacks a prehensile tail.^[2]

The color pattern consists of a pale yellowish brown ground color, overlaid with a series of dorsal blotches that may be triangular or quadrangular, broad or narrow, and alternating or opposite along the dorsal median. A banded pattern results when the pattern is opposite. The head lacks a well-defined postorbital stripe. The belly is a uniform pale yellow or cream.^[2]

This snake species is one of the few in which the presence of an intersex has been established.^[2]

Geographic range

Endemic to Queimada Grande Island, Brazil. Therefore, the type locality is the same: "Ilha da Queimada Grande, situado no litoral do Estado de S. Paulo, a cêrca de 40 milhas a S.O. da barra de Santo" (Brazil).^[1] This island has a total area of only 43 ha.^[4]

Habitat

It occurs in what is classed as subtropical or tropical moist forest. Unfortunately, the quality of its habitat continues to decline due to vegetation removal by people from the Brazilian Navy who maintain the lighthouse on the island.^[4]

Conservation status

This species is classified as critical (CRU) on the IUCN Red List for the following criteria: CR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) (v3.1 (2001).^[4] This means that the geographic range is estimated to be less than 100 km², that this area is severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location, and that a continuing decline has been observed, inferred or projected for the area, extent and/or quality of the habitat. Furthermore, the area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 10 km², that this area is severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location, and that a continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat. The population trend is stable. Year assessed: 2004.^[5]

Behavior

These snakes may be either terrestrial or arboreal, even though it does not have a prehensile tail. However, based on their observations, Campbell and Lamar (2004) suggest that this species use of the vegetation is facultative and that it is not truly arboreal.^[2]

Venom

The toxicity of the venom produced by this species is considered to be exceptional.^[2]

See also

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

References