Jararacussu

About the Jararacussu

Bothrops jararacussu, commonly known in English as the jararacussu, is a highly venomous pit viper species endemic to South America. It is one of the most dreaded snakes in South America and can grow up to 2.2 metres (7.2 ft).

The jararacussu is a fairly large pit viper, growing up to 2.2 meters long, with a robust body and head and very aggressive behavior. The color of the body and head varies widely; the background color can be brown or yellow, almost black, the pattern of dark and light scales are constituted in a series of dark arches. The spots form on the dorsal midline, which look like the letter x. It has medium-sized eyes, with elliptical pupils vertically. With dorsal scales strongly keeled.

They have large fangs of 2.5 cm, and can inject a lot of venom. They usually feed on amphibians and rodents. They are ovoviviparous, giving birth to between 16 and 20 young, in the rainy season. Mainly diurnal and nocturnal, they usually warm up in the morning sun and venture forth to hunt at night.

It is found in South America in coastal Brazil (from Bahia to Santa Catarina), Paraguay, southeastern Bolivia, and northeastern Argentina... Wikipedia →