Bothrops ammodytoides
SUBFAMILY
Crotalinae
TAXONOMY
Bothrops ammodytoides Leybold, 1873, Mendoza Province, northern Argentina.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
German: Argentinische Jararaca; Spanish: Cenicienta.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Adults range from 1.5 ft (45 cm) to 3.3 ft (1 m) in total length. The dorsal ground color is light brown or gray with dark brown blotches. The snout is elevated. Eight to 11 supralabial, 147–160 ventral, 30–41 subcaudal, and 23–25 midbody scale rows have been recorded for this species.
DISTRIBUTION
The species occurs in Argentina, from sea level to 6,560 ft (2,000 m).
HABITAT
It inhabits temperate to subtropical savannas and steppes.
BEHAVIOR
The species is terrestrial. In parts of its range, the Patagonian lancehead may use the tunnels of the chinchillid mammal Lagostomus maximus. The species has been characterized as an irritable snake. It is inactive during the austral winter.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
It feeds primarily on lizards.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
The Patagonian lancehead gives live birth, but little else is known.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
This snake is dangerously venomous.
