Picado’s Jumping Pit Viper, Atropoides picadoi, is one of six species of snake in what is commonly referred to as the jumping pit viper family.
While the range of the jumping pit viper stretches from the mountainous areas of eastern Mexico all the way to central Panama, Picado’s jumping pit viper is mainly located in the mountainous areas of Costa Rica and western Panama.
Here are several fun and interesting facts about Picado’s jumping pit viper.
Picado’s Jumping Pit Viper Diet
These snakes are not very big, and their venom is not particularly strong compared to other venomous snakes.
What do Picado’s jumping pit vipers eat? Juvenile Picado’s jumping pit vipers feed mostly on smaller prey such as grasshoppers, baby lizards, and other similarly sized food. Adult Picado’s jumping pit vipers eat small mammals like rodents, small lizards, and have even been known to prey on aquatic animals such as small crabs.
These vipers are nocturnal. Unlike ambush predators that simply sit and wait for food to come by, they will actively hunt at night. They follow rodent trails and such, searching for food.
Due to their small size and weak venom, they have to bite and hold onto their prey, rather than biting it and then following until it dies.
Bonus Picado’s jumping pit viper fact!
This hunting method actually puts the viper at risk. Whatever prey they are holding onto will be fighting for its life. For this reason, jumping pit vipers have evolved extra scales designed to protect their eyes and heat pits.
Predators of the Picado’s Jumping Pit Viper
Unless you’re an apex predator, you are likely going to be on the menu for other animals, and this snake is no exception.
Due to their small size and low toxicity level, the jumping pit viper is lower on the food chain than many other animals found in their habitat.
Which predators eat Picado’s jumping pit vipers? The Picado’s jumping pit viper is not a main food source for any specific animal, but there are several which will eat them if an easy opportunity presents itself. Predators of the Picado’s jumping pit viper would include ocelots, tayras, jaguars, pumas and the jaguarundi.
Baby vipers are more at risk of becoming prey for additional animals such as various birds, and possibly other reptiles.
Picado’s Jumping Pit Viper Defense
All snakes have some sort of defense. King cobras stand tall and spread their hoods to appear larger. Hognose snakes roll over and play dead while putting off a foul odor.
What defense does the Picado’s jumping pit viper use? The Picado’s jumping pit viper puts on an impressive defensive display. It opens its mouth widely, keeping it open and pointed towards the threat at all times. Additionally, the Picado’s jumping pit viper will wiggle its tail vigorously as a warning when threatened.
It will also strike hard. Most snakes can strike a third of their overall body length. The Picado’s jumping pit viper strikes nearly half of its length, which is a pretty impressive defense.
The head of adults versus the size of their body is disproportionately large compared to other snake species. That large, wide open mouth pointing straight at you coupled with a vibrating tail making noise as it rubs the ground, is enough to get your attention and warn you to stay away.
It is a hardy display from a fairly small snake. The defense of the Picado’s jumping pit viper will make you think twice before reaching for it.
Picado’s Jumping Pit Viper Behavior
As with most reptiles, these snakes are fairly calm and docile when left alone, but will not hesitate to strike when threatened.
Picado’s jumping pit vipers are nocturnal.
They spend their days resting while hiding in leaf litter, or brush. Although they don’t typically hunt during the day, they will happily ambush prey if something happens to come along.
At night, the Picado’s jumping pit viper actively hunts. It follows rodent trails, and searches through vegetation in hopes of a good meal.
They are a terrestrial snake, capable of climbing trees, but are usually found on the ground. They are considered a sluggish and slow moving serpent.
Picado’s Jumping Pit Viper Size
With such a big reputation, you might be expecting a rather large snake.
How big is the Picado’s jumping pit viper? The Picado’s jumping pit viper only grows to an average of two feet in length. The largest ones can reach nearly four feet. They have a fairly thick body however, compared to their length. While the heads of juveniles are normal, adults have heads that are wider than their body.
Picado’s Jumping Pit Viper Venom
Being in the viper family means this is a venomous snake. Their venom is rather mild however, and there have been no reported fatalities from this species.
Picado’s jumping pit vipers produce a dark yellow, hemotoxic venom. This venom affects the circulatory system, and breaks down muscle and tissue which aids the digestion process. The venom kills its prey slower than neurotoxic venom produced by more dangerous snakes, but it is effective and it works.
People who are bitten will usually experience pain, swelling and bruising.
An average venom yield when milking these snakes is usually around 70mg. A bite however, will typically contain much less than that.
Picado’s Jumping Pit Viper Mythology
As you probably know, these snakes are called “jumping pit vipers” because they can supposedly jump.
Some myths and legends even have the Picado’s jumping pit viper jumping several feet into the air, aiming for the neck of their victims.
The truth is way less extraordinary than that.
In reality, these vipers strike extremely fast and hard. They have the ability to turn around in a split second to face whatever threat is behind them as well.
Having a rather short and stout body means that when the Picado’s jumping pit viper strikes, it can have enough momentum to scoot forward a few inches, especially when on something like dirt. Part, or all, of its body might even come off the ground an inch or two.
It isn’t “jumping” however, and it certainly can’t come several feet off the ground.
Picado’s Jumping Pit Viper Habitat
The range for these snakes extends from southeastern Mexico, down to Panama. They are found mostly in Costa Rico, but even there they aren’t seen very often.
Their small size, good camouflage, and low numbers mean this snake is rarely encountered.
The Picado’s jumping pit viper habitat is usually located in low to medium altitudes. They often live near the mountains, but not high up in them. These snakes live in a tropical environment with decent amounts of vegetation.
Summary
Picado’s jumping pit vipers are pretty amazing snakes, but there is still a lot to learn about these impressive reptiles.
They are not endangered, but there has been little in the way of field study for them.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, be sure to check out my other posts on various lizards and snakes. Simply use the search tool (magnifying glass) at the top of the page to search for your favorite!