Metlapilcoatlus occiduus facts for kids

Metlapilcoatlus occiduus is a venomous pitviper found only in certain parts of southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. It's often called the Guatemalan jumping pitviper.

Quick facts for kids Metlapilcoatlus occiduus
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Genus:	Metlapilcoatlus
Species:	M. occiduus
Binomial name
Metlapilcoatlus occiduus (Hoge, 1966)
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Synonyms
Bothrops affinis Bocourt, 1868 Bothriopsis affinis – Cope, 1871 Trigonocephalus affinis – Garman, 1884 Bothrops nummifer affinis – Stuart, 1963 Bothrops nummifer occiduus Hoge, 1966 (replacement name for Bothrops affinis Bocourt, 1868) Bothrops nummifer occiduus – Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981 Porthidium nummifer occiduum – Campbell & Lamar, 1989

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What Does This Snake Look Like?

Adult Guatemalan jumping pitvipers are usually about 35 to 60 centimeters (14 to 24 inches) long. That's roughly the length of a school ruler! The longest male ever found was 74.8 cm (29.4 inches) in Guatemala. The longest female was 79.5 cm (31.3 inches) from another part of Guatemala. These snakes have a very strong and thick body.

Where Does This Snake Live?

You can find the Guatemalan jumping pitviper in southern Mexico, specifically in southeastern Chiapas. It also lives in southern and central Guatemala, and western El Salvador. The first place this snake was officially found was near San Augustín in Guatemala. This area is on the southern side of a volcano called Volcán Atitlán.

What Kind of Home Does It Like?

This pitviper enjoys living in wet, subtropical forests. These forests are found on the Pacific side of the mountains, stretching from southeastern Chiapas in Mexico all the way to western El Salvador. It also likes the pine and oak forests close to Guatemala City. These snakes can be found at high places, from about 1,000 to 1,600 meters (3,300 to 5,200 feet) above sea level.

How Scientists Classify This Snake

Scientists group living things into categories. The Guatemalan jumping pitviper is known by its scientific name, Metlapilcoatlus occiduus. In 2004, scientists Campbell and Lamar confirmed that it should be considered its own full species.