Bothrops nasutus
Hognosed Viper
 
Name:  Hognosed Viper
Scientific name: Bothrops nasutus (Porthidium nasutus)
Range: Mexico to Equador
Habitat: Tropical Rainforest
Status: Not threatened
Diet in the wild: small mammals, frogs, lizards, insects
Diet in the zoo: mice
Location in the zoo: Herpetarium
 
Physical description: 
  • Body length is less than 1/2 a meter long  
  • Brownish green with black spotted colorations
  • Less than 5 pounds
  • Head stands out clearly from neck
  • Body is cylindrical
 
General information:

The Hognosed Viper is one of the smallest poisonous snakes in the world.  Its venom is very potent and can be deadly.  The Hognosed Viper is primarily found in the Costa Rican Rain Forest.  It uses its unique coloration to camouflage itself among the dead leaves of the forest floor.  The Hognosed Viper uses its toxic venom to kill its prey.  A hognosed Viper's litter can consist of up to 18 newborns.
 

 
 
Special anatomical, physiological
or behavioral adaptations:

The Hognosed Viper's coloration has changed over time to match the coloration of the rainforest floor.
 

 
 
Comments about the hognosed vipers of the Fort Worth Zoo:

There is only one Hognosed Viper at the Fort Worth Zoo
A beautiful snake
 

 
 
Personal Observations:

The Hognosed Viper is hard to observe in the Herpetarium because the aquariums are so small.  The Hognosed Viper is a very beautiful snake to see in person.  It didn't move around a lot in the cage.
 

 
 
Source Materials and Related Links:

 
 
Page author:Jeff Aman

Send E-mail to:  jeffaman@hotmail.com

or to:    mac@whozoo.org

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