Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this page were taken by Bert Vandebosch, Helen Pheasey, Para La Tierra and Hugo del Castillo and are used with permission.
URUTU LANCEHEAD Rhinocerophis alternatus
A large and aggressive Lancehead, this species is typical of wetland areas where it is able to swim with ease. The species is easily identified amongst its deadly group of relatives by the kidney-shaped patches on the dorsal surface. It goes without saying that you should treat this snake with the utmost of respect. Formerly classified in the genus Bothrops, the group was revised by Fenwick et al 2009 - Morphological and Molecular Evidence for Phylogeny and Classification of South American Pitvipers, Genera Bothrops, Bothriopsis and Bothrocophias (Serpentes: Viperidae) . Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 156: p617-640.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPREP339PH) Adult dorsal view, Estancia Kanguery, PN San Rafael (Bert Vandebosch October 2008).
FIGURE 2 - (FPREP340PH) Same individual rear view (Bert Vandebosch October 2008).
FIGURE 3 - (FPREP341PH) Adult roadkill location unknown (Hugo del Castillo July 2008).
FIGURE 4 - (FPREP342PH) Same individual dorsal head detail (Hugo del Castillo July 2008).
FIGURE 5 - (FPREP343PH) Same individual scale pattern detail (Hugo del Castillo July 2008).
FIGURE 6 - (FPREP619PH) Roadkill ventral view, Sta Barbara, Departamento San Pedro (Helen Pheasey October 2011 - Para La Tierra).
FIGURE 7 - (FPREP620PH) Ventral head of same individual (Helen Pheasey October 2011 - Para La Tierra).
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FIGURE 1
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FIGURE 2
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FIGURE 3
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FIGURE 4
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FIGURE 5
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FIGURE 6
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FIGURE 7
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