Bothrops

Bothrops is a genus of venomous pit vipers in the family Viperidae, subfamily Crotalinae, native to the Americas from northern Mexico to northern Argentina. The group has its greatest species richness in tropical Central and South America. In some regions, bites by certain species such as B. asper or B. atrox are colloquially called fer-de-lance.

Physically, Bothrops species are typically medium to large snakes with stout bodies and triangular heads. They possess heat-sensing pits between the nostrils and eyes. They are ambush predators that often inhabit leaf litter, grass, forests, wetlands, and edges of human settlements; activity patterns vary by species, with some being nocturnal or crepuscular.

Venom characterization and medical significance are central to the genus. Bothrops venom is usually hemotoxic, causing local swelling, tissue damage, and coagulopathy, and in some cases systemic effects. Species such as B. asper and B. atrox are among the most medically important in their ranges. Notably, certain components from B. jararaca venom helped lead to the development of ACE inhibitors for hypertension through bradykinin-potentiating peptides.

Reproduction and diet are typical of many viperids. Most Bothrops species are viviparous or ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young after relatively short gestations. Diet consists largely of small vertebrates, including rodents, lizards, frogs, and birds.

The genus comprises about 40 described species, including B. asper, B. atrox, B. jararaca, B. neuwiedi, and others. They occupy diverse habitats across the Americas, from tropical forests to savannas and cultivated areas. Conservation status varies by species, with some populations stable and others threatened by habitat loss or collecting.