Bothrops jararaca is a venomous pit viper species found in South America. Its name is spelled using the phonetic transcription system called IPA. The first word, Bothrops, is pronounced 'ˈboʊθrɑps'. The second word, jararaca, is pronounced 'ˌhɑrəˈrækə'. The 'j' in jararaca is pronounced like a 'h' while the 'r' is trilled. The word may be difficult to spell because of its unusual pronunciation, but it is important to correctly identify and spell the names of different snake species for scientific and medical purposes.
Bothrops jararaca is a venomous snake species endemic to South America, belonging to the family Viperidae and the subfamily Crotalinae. It is commonly known as the jararaca or the jararaca pit viper. This species can be found in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and marshy areas across Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina.
The Bothrops jararaca is characterized by its stout body, triangular-shaped head, and highly keeled dorsal scales. It typically reaches a length of approximately 1 to 1.5 meters, although larger specimens have been recorded. The coloration of this snake varies, but it generally displays a brown or grayish-brown background with dark brown or blackish spots or blotches along its body.
Notably, the jararaca is highly venomous and possesses potent hemotoxic venom. Its venom acts by disrupting blood clotting and damaging tissues, leading to severe pain, swelling, and potential organ failure if left untreated. The bite of this snake can be life-threatening to humans, and immediate medical attention is crucial if envenomation occurs.
Bothrops jararaca is primarily nocturnal and preys on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Like other pit vipers, it possesses heat-sensing pits located between its eyes and nostrils, which help it detect warm-blooded prey in low-light conditions.
Due to its dangerous venom and wide distribution, the jararaca is the cause of numerous snakebite incidents in its range, constituting a significant public health concern. Nonetheless, the venom of Bothrops jararaca has also been studied for its potential therapeutic uses, leading to the development of antivenoms and the exploration of its components for medicinal purposes
The word "Bothrops jararaca" has its roots in Latin and Greek.
The genus name "Bothrops" comes from the Greek words "bothros" meaning "pit" and "ops" meaning "eye" or "face". It refers to the distinct heat-sensing pits located on the heads of many snakes in this genus, which are used to detect the presence of warm-blooded prey.
The species name "jararaca" is derived from the Tupi-Guarani language spoken by indigenous people in South America, specifically Brazil. In Tupi-Guarani, "jararaca" means "stinging serpent" or "buzzing snake", which accurately describes the venomous and, in some species, noisy nature of these snakes when threatened.
So, "Bothrops jararaca" essentially means "pit viper serpent" with a venomous and buzzing characteristic.