I am fascinated by all snakes, but one species in particular intrigues me and that’s the jumping pit viper.
But there’s very little information out there regarding these awesome snakes! I’m here to help change that.
Today I want to share with you as many jumping pit viper facts as I can!
Why Are They Called Jumping Pit Vipers
These snakes only grow to around 2′ in length, but have a very thick body.
They are called jumping pit vipers because when they strike, they sometimes appear to jump.
In reality they don’t always come off the ground, and when they do, it’s typically only an inch or two.
The real reason they are called jumping pit vipers, and why many people believe they can actually jump, is due to the incredible power and speed at which they strike, and the fact that they typically strike a distance of half their body length.
Whereas some snakes are capable of striking half their body length, most are only able to strike about a third of their overall length. Additionally, most snakes anchor their body when they strike.
You may see a typical snake’s body lunge or slide forward with the power of their strike, but rarely do you see them totally leave the ground.
The jumping pit viper on the other hand puts everything it has in it’s short, yet stocky body when it strikes.
Dispelling the myths.
It’s important to note that despite myths and stories of these snakes jumping several feet into the air to strike their victims in the neck or face, they actually only come off the ground about an inch or two.
This may seem insignificant, but when you consider that they have no arms or legs, and are only able to jump due to the forces applied to their strike, you can see that these small creatures are mighty monsters in the snake world!
How Many Species Of Jumping Pit Vipers Are There?
Currently this genus of snake has six known species, and all are found in Central and South America, from Mexico to Panama. Here is a list of all six species and their general geographic location.
- Botaderos jumping pit viper – Atropoides indomitus: Found in and around Honduras.
- Central American jumping pit viper – Atropoides mexicanus: Located from southern Mexico all the way to Panama.
- Guatemalan jumping pit viper – Atropoides occiduus: Found in El Salvador, Guatemala and southern Mexico.
- Mexican jumping pit viper – Atropoides nummifer: Also found in El Salvador, Guatemala and southern Mexico.
- Picado’s jumping pit viper – Atropoides picadoi: Located in the mountainous areas of Costa Rica and western Panama.
- Tuxtlan jumping pit viper – Atropoides olmec: Can be found in southeastern Mexico around the area of Veracruz.
These snakes are rain forest animals, and are typically found at low to middle elevations.
What Do Jumping Pit Vipers Eat?
Juvenile diets consist mostly of grasshoppers and other insects around that same size. Adults typically eat small rodents, and sometimes small lizards or even crabs.
The small size and low potency of the jumping pit viper’s venom prevent it from going after large prey.
How Dangerous Are Jumping Pit Vipers To Humans?
The venom of these snakes is actually pretty mild, probably about the equivalent of the copperhead snake in North America. Here is an article I wrote on that species, How Deadly Is The Copperhead Snake.
There have been no known reported cases of someone dying from a jumping pit viper bite.
That being said, snake venom effects each person differently.
Quick Fact
These snakes produce a hemotoxic venom which some people could be allergic to.
Additionally, these snakes produce a LOT of venom! It is not known what would happen if they were to unload everything they have in a single bite, not to mention the risk of infection.
Professional medical treatment should always be sought immediately after any snake bite.
Here is an article you might find interesting Why Do Snake Bite.
How Do Jumping Pit Vipers Hunt?
These snakes are nocturnal, preferring to hunt small rodents at night.
Due to their mild venom, when this viper attacks its victim it usually hangs on and bites repeatedly by pulling out and reinserting its fangs one at a time over and over, almost like chewing.
It is not chewing though, it is holding on with its fangs and injecting venom in different spots in order to stop its prey. In this way, it injects a lot of venom into its prey and doesn’t have to follow it or chase it down as the venom takes effect.
Cool Fact
The downside to this is that the prey will usually fight back as long as it is able.
Since the snake is hanging on, it has no real way to defend itself, therefore the jumping pit viper has evolved special scale covers to protect its eyes and heat pits.
Jumping Pit Viper Breeding
Not a lot of information exists about the breeding of this genus of snake either in the wild or in captivity. Here is what we know.
They are seasonal breeders which typically mate in January. This is followed by a 186 day gestation period, giving birth in June or July. On average they give birth to between five and nine live young.
Unlike some snake species which require two or more males who compete in front of the female for the right to mate, jumping pit vipers only require one male and one female in order to copulate.
For captive breeding, temperatures of 78-82 degrees and humidity levels of 40-60% are ideal. Females will typically stop eating about one month before giving birth.
Babies will resort to cannibalism, and therefore should be separated. They also show nervous and aggressive behaviors, and are known to bite often and without provocation.
Jumping Pit Viper Behavior
As I said earlier, this snake is nocturnal, hunting and mating at night.
Despite stories and myths about these snakes jumping out and attacking people, they are actually pretty slow moving snakes and are non aggressive unless provoked.
When defending itself against predators, it will display its wide open mouth, and will move to keep its open mouth pointed towards the predator, warning it to stay back or risk getting bitten!
Conclusion
Despite the fact that these snakes aren’t found very often in zoos or hobbyists collections, the jumping pit viper is actually a fairly popular snake. This is probably due to its name and reputation.
Unfortunately most of the reputation they’ve earned is false. They don’t really “jump”, they are not aggressive and will not chase you or go out of their way to attack people.
Contrary to stories and myths, these snakes won’t leap out of the brush and ambush you from afar.
The true story is that these beautiful snakes typically only come out at night, their venom isn’t usually too harmful to humans beyond pain and swelling, and their small size means you’ll have to practically step on one in order to get bitten.
All in all they’re just an awesome and unique snake!