Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus explained

Common names: Central American jumping pitviper.^[1]

Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus is a venomous pitviper species endemic to Mexico and Central America.

Description

Adults grow to an average of 50–70 cm (about 20–28 inches) in total length. The maximum total length is 86.7frac=8NaNfrac=8 for males and 97.9frac=8NaNfrac=8 for females. The body is extremely stout.^[1]

Geographic range

Found in the Atlantic drainage from Mexico (in the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas) south to the Canal Zone in Panama, both slopes of Costa Rica and Panama. Occurs at elevations of 40–.^[1] The type locality given is "Coban, capitale de la province de la Véra-Paz, (République de Guatemala, Amérique centrale)" (Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala).

Taxonomy

Regarded as a full species, Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus, by Campbell and Lamar (2004).^[1]

Notes and References

1. Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. 2 volumes. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. .