Bothrocophias


Bothrocophias is a genus of pit vipers in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae, known by the common name toadheaded pit vipers. The genus is endemic to South America.

Taxonomy

Bothrocophias is a relatively recently identified genus that consists of four to nine species, most of which were traditionally placed in Bothrops.

Oviparity

Recent evidence published by Campbell and Lamar suggests that Bothrocophias colombianus may lay eggs rather than give birth to live young. This would make it almost unique among New World pitvipers. The only other American pitvipers known to lay eggs are the four species of bushmaster.

Species

The following nine species are recognized as being valid.
ImageSpeciesCommon nameGeographic range
Bothrocophias andianus
Bolivia and Peru
Bothrocophias campbelli
Campbell's toadheaded viper
the Ecuadorian toadheaded pitviper
víbora boca de sapo
Ecuador
Bothrocophias colombianus
Colombian toad-headed pitviperColombia
Bothrocophias hyoprora
Amazonian toad-headed pitviperEcuador, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia
Bothrocophias lojanus
Lojan lancehead
macanchi
macaucho
Ecuador, Peru
Bothrocophias microphthalmus
small-eyed toad-headed pit viperEcuador, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Brazil
Bothrocophias myersi
Myers toadheaded pitviperColombia
Bothrocophias myrringae
Angarita-Sierra, Cubides-Cubillos, & Hurtado-Gómez, 2022
High-Andean Toad-Headed PitviperColombia
Bothrocophias tulitoi
Angarita-Sierra, Cubides-Cubillos, & Hurtado-Gómez, 2022
Colombia

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Bothrocophias.