Bothrops pirajai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bothrops pirajai |
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Bothrops
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pirajai
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The Piraja's lancehead (Bothrops pirajai) is a type of venomous snake. It's a pit viper, which means it has special heat-sensing pits on its head. These pits help it find warm-blooded prey. This snake belongs to the viper family. It lives only in Brazil. Scientists do not recognize any different types (subspecies) of this snake.
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What's in a Name? The Piraja's Lancehead
The specific name, pirajai, honors a Brazilian scientist. His name was Pirajá da Silva. He was a parasitologist, studying tiny living things. In 1923, he led a science institute in Bahia, Brazil.
Meet the Piraja's Lancehead: Size and Looks
The Piraja's lancehead can grow quite long. The longest one ever found was about 137 centimeters (or 54 inches) from nose to tail. This snake is quite stocky, meaning it is thick-bodied. It spends its time on the ground.
Where Does the Piraja's Lancehead Live?
You can find the Piraja's lancehead in Brazil. It lives in the central and southern parts of Bahia state. It might also live in Minas Gerais state. The first place this snake was officially found was "Ilheos, Bahia, Brazil."
Why Is the Piraja's Lancehead Endangered?
The Piraja's lancehead is an endangered species. This means it faces a high risk of disappearing forever. Its population has dropped by at least 20% in the last 10 years. This decline is mainly due to its habitat shrinking.
The rainforest where this snake lives is getting smaller. It is also losing its quality. People are cutting down trees, which is called deforestation. This breaks the forest into smaller pieces. Many cleared areas are used to grow cocoa plants. This loss of habitat puts the Piraja's lancehead in danger.
