Andean Lancehead

About the Andean Lancehead

Common names: Andean lancehead. Bothrocophias andianus is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the Andes in South America. No subspecies are currently recognized. A terrestrial species, adults usually grow to 60–70 cm (about 24-28 inches) in total length with a maximum of 125.8 cm (49.5 in).

The scalation includes 21-25 (usually 21-23) rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 157-174/169-179 ventral scales in males/females and 52-63/49-58 mostly divided subcaudal scales. On the head, the rostral scale is usually a little higher (up to 50%) than it is wide, the loreal scale is rectangular and wider than it is high, there are 3-10 keeled intersupraoculars, 7 supralabial scales with the second usually fused with the prelacunal to form a lacunolabial, and 8-11 sublabial scales.

The color pattern consists of an olive gray to brown ground color, which is occasionally darker anteriorly, overlaid with a series of 18-25 dark dorsolateral blotches that usually oppose middorsally, but may alternate. These markings are triangular, or in the shape of a headphone, and have black edges followed by a peripheral pale border. The belly is cream to yellow with heavy dark gray, brown or... Wikipedia →