crotalines

Crotalines, or pit vipers, form the subfamily Crotalinae within the family Viperidae. They are characterized by a paired heat-sensing pit located between the eye and the nostril, and long retractable fangs that fold under the roof of the mouth when not in use (solenoglyphous dentition). The subfamily encompasses a diverse range of genera. The best-known members are the rattlesnakes, comprising the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus, but the group also includes numerous Old World and Asian pit vipers such as Bothrops, Lachesis, Tropidolaemus, Protobothrops, and Trimeresurus lineages.

Crotalines are venomous snakes; their venom is composed of enzymes and proteins that aid prey capture and digestion and can cause local tissue damage, swelling, pain, and systemic effects such as coagulopathy or hemorrhage. The specific venom profile varies widely among species. Prompt medical treatment is essential for rattlesnake bites; antivenoms are available for many regions.

Behavior and ecology: they are typically ambush predators that prey on warm-blooded animals. Many species give birth to live young (ovoviviparous) or lay eggs depending on lineage. They occupy a wide range of habitats, from deserts and grasslands to tropical forests and montane regions.