Mixcoatlus melanurus

(Müller, 1923)

Vernacular names
English : Black-tailed horned pitviper
French : Vipère trigonocéphale à queue noire

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Viperidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach up to 50 cm in length. Body is quite slender, head triangular with flattened nose and a big horn-like projection over each eyes. Coloration is dark ashy-grey with dark temporal side, top of head, and dark back markings.

Range and habitat
The species lives in Central America and is endemic to south Mexico, from the states of Puebla and Oaxaca. Lives in arid scrubland and forests, from 1600 to 2400 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is endangered because of constant degradation of its habitat by overgrazing from livestock. Its populations are heavily fragmented now.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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