Jararacuçu
Valentina Perozzo, Lorenzo Appel and Carolina Da Silva
Introduction and scientific name:
Jararacuçu (scientific name: Bothrops jararacussu) is a type of viper that contains a poison that if left untreated can be fatal, and in addition it is the second largest snake in Brazil just behind the green anaconda.
Location:
The jararacuçu is a South American snake, registered in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. In the national territory, it inhabits the South and Southeast regions, in addition to the States of Bahia and Mato Grosso do Sul.
Characteristics:
This animal is a reptile that can be up to 2 m long and dorsal color varying between gray, pink, yellow, brown or black, with dark brown triangular spots. The venom of jararacuçu can cause lesions at the bite site, such as hemorrhage and necrosis that can lead to death.
They are generalist animals regarding the selection of food items, they eat amphibians, lizards and even other snakes. Ontogenetic differences (related to the development phase) are observed in their diet. The feeding strategy includes techniques such as ambush, lurking and active hunting to catch prey. In juveniles, the slightly colored tail tip is used to attract prey, as its movement simulates a small insect larva.
Reproduction occurs at the end of summer, being a viviparous species, which means that, in this species, the puppies develop inside the female's body, where they are protected and heated. Studies show that, in the wild, the female gives birth between 13 and 37 snakes, according to their size.
Why is it endangered:
The jararacuçu is not on the official list of endangered species in Brazil (ICMBio) and, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species is classified in the status of little concern. Habitat loss, deforestation, trampling of fauna and forest fires are examples of threats to the species and to all biological diversity.
How you can help:
We have to stop deforestation because not only this snake but other animals live there and end up going to the cities and then people kill the snakes but what you must do is call the fire department to retrieve the animal and take it to its habitat.
Why these snakes are so important:
Snakes play an important ecological role in the ecosystem, as top predators, controlling the rodent population. In health and research, its poison has been used for studies and production of drugs, serums and vaccines. Because of this, the preservation of these species is essential and there are 3.700 Jararacuçus alive on the planet.
