Patagonia Lancehead

About the Patagonia Lancehead

Common names: Patagonian lancehead, yarará ñata, Patagonian pit viper. Bothrops ammodytoides is a pit viper species endemic to Argentina. No subspecies are currently recognized. This species has a stocky build and grows to an average total length of 45–75 cm (18-30 inches), but is capable reaching almost 1 m (39 inches) in total length. The rostral scale is elongated vertically and the snout is upturned, similar to the hog-nosed pitvipers of the genus Porthidium.

Dorsally, it is pale brown, with a series of large squarish dark brown spots or crossbars which are edged with black. On some specimens these markings alternate to form a zigzag stripe. There is a dark streak behind the eye. Ventrally, it is yellowish with brown dots.

The very strongly keeled dorsal scales are arranged in 23 or 25 rows at midbody. Ventrals 149–160; anal plate entire; subcaudals 30–38, divided. The dorsal surface of the head is covered by small, imbricate, keeled scales. The large supraoculars are separated by 8 or 9 rows of these small scales. Two rows of scales separate the eye from the upper labials. Upper labials 9 or 10, the 2nd separated from the loreal pit, the 3rd and 4th largest. The... Wikipedia →