Appearance
This is a slender and terrestrial species that grows to a maximum total length of 160 cm, although the average total length is much less.The head scalation includes 5-12 intersupraoculars that are weakly keeled, 7-9 supralabials of which the second is fused with the prelacunal to form a lacunolabial, and 9-13 sublabials . Midbody, there are 20-27 rows of dorsal scales . The ventrals number 170-216 and the 51-71 subcaudals are mostly paired.
The color pattern is extremely variable, consisting of a dorsal ground color that may be tan, brown, gray, yellow, olive, or almost maroon. Midbody, this color is usually somewhat lighter than the head, anterior and posterior. The dorsal ground color is overlaid with a series of pale-edged, dark brown subtriangular or trapezoidal markings on either side of the body, the apices of which reach the vertebral line. These marking may be situated opposite each other, or partially or completely juxtaposed; most specimens have a pattern with all three variations. In juveniles, the tip of the tail is white.
The head has a prominent dark brown stripe that runs from behind the eye, on either side of the head, back to the angle of the mouth, usually touching the last three supralabials. Dorsally, this stripe is bordered by a distinct pale area. The tongue is black, and the iris is gold to greenish gold with slightly darker reticulations.
Naming
The English common name is jararaca. In Argentina, it is called ''yarará'' and ''yararaca perezosa''. In Brazil, it is referred to as ''caissaca, jaraca, jaracá, jararaca, jararaca-do-rabo-branco, jararaca-do-campo, jararaca-do-cerrado, jararaca-dormideira, jararaca-dominhoca'' and ''malha-de-sapo''. In Paraguay and Uruguay, it is also called ''yarará''.Habitat
The species prefers deciduous tropical forests and savanna country, as well as semitropical upland forests. It is said to favor open areas, such as farmland, with nearby vegetation cover.Reproduction
Females are ovoviviparous, and are believed to produce about 20 young at a time.Food
They prey on birds and small mammals.Uses
The drugs known as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors , which are used for the treatment of hypertension and some types of congestive heart failure, were developed from a peptide found in the venom of this species in 1965 by Brazilian scientist Sérgio Henrique Ferreira.Haemocoagulase enzyme derived from the venom is used as antihemorrhagic drug.
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