Bothrocophias


Bothrocophias is a genus of venomous snakes in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The genus is endemic to northern South America.

Taxonomy

Bothrocophias is a relatively recently identified genus that consists of four to seven 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 seven species are recognized as being valid.
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Bothrocophias.