FM 3-05.70 Field Manual Survival (17 May 2002) - page 19
Figure E-7. American Copperhead Habitat
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Bushmaster
Lachesis muta
Description: The body hue is rather pale brown or pinkish, with a series of large
bold dark brown or black blotches extending along the body. Its scales are
extremely rough.
Characteristics: The world’s largest pit viper has a bad reputation. This huge
venomous snake is not common anywhere in its range. It lives in remote and
isolated habitats and is largely nocturnal in its feeding habits. It seldom bites
anyone, so few bites are recorded. A bite from one would indeed be very serious
and fatal if medical aid was not immediately available. Usually, the bites occur in
remote, dense jungles, many kilometers and several hours or even days away
from medical help. Bushmaster fangs are long. In large bushmasters, they can
measure 3.8 centimeters (1 3/4 inches). Its venom is a powerful hemotoxin.
Habitat: Found chiefly in tropical forests in their range.
Length: Average 2.1 meters (7 feet), maximum 3.7 meters (12 feet).
Distribution: Northern South America and parts of Central America, including
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad, and Brazil (Figure E-8, page E-13).
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Figure E-8. Bushmaster Habitat
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Coral snake
Micrurus fulvius
Description: Beautifully marked with bright blacks, reds, and yellows. To identify
the species, remember that when red touches yellow it is a coral snake.
Characteristics: Common over range, but secretive in its habits, therefore
seldom seen. It has short fangs that are fixed in an erect position. It often chews
to release its venom into a wound. Its venom is very powerful. The venom is
neurotoxic, causing respiratory paralysis in the victim, who succumbs to
suffocation.
Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats including wooded areas, swamps,
palmetto and scrub areas. Coral snakes often venture into residential locations.
Length: Average 60 centimeters (24 inches), maximum 115 centimeters (45
inches).
Distribution: Southeast United States and west to Texas. Another genus of
coral snake is found in Arizona. Coral snakes are also found throughout Central
and most of South America (Figure E-9, page E-15).
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Figure E-9. Coral Snake Habitat
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Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Description: Colors are variable. Adults are uniformly olive brown or black. The
young and subadults are strongly crossbanded with dark brown.
Characteristics: These dangerous semiaquatic snakes closely resemble
harmless water snakes that have the same habitat. Therefore, it is best to leave
all water snakes alone. Cottonmouths often stand their ground. An aroused
cottonmouth will draw its head close to its body and open its mouth, showing its
white interior. Cottonmouth venom is hemotoxic and potent. Bites are prone to
gangrene.
Habitat: Found in swamps, lakes, rivers, and ditches.
Length: Average 90 centimeters (35 inches), maximum 1.8 meters (6 feet).
Distribution: Most of southeast United States, particularly southeast Virginia,
west central Alabama, south Georgia, Illinois, east central Kentucky, south
central Oklahoma, Texas, North and South Carolina, and Florida (including the
Florida Keys) (Figure E-10, page E-17).
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Figure E-10. Cottonmouth Habitat
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Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus
Description: Dark brown or black, outlined by a row of cream or yellowish
scales. Ground color is olive to brown.
Characteristics: The largest venomous snake in the United States. Large
snakes can have fangs that measure 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) in a straight line.
This species has a sullen disposition, ready to defend itself when threatened. Its
venom is potent and hemotoxic, causing great pain and damage to tissue.
Habitat: Found in palmettos and scrubs, swamps, pine woods, and flatwoods. It
has been observed swimming many miles out in the Gulf of Mexico, reaching
some of the islands off the Florida coast.
Length: Average 1.4 meters (5 feet), maximum 2.4 meters (8 feet).
Distribution: Coastal areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, and
Florida (including the Florida Keys) (Figure E-11, page E-19).
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Figure E-11. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Habitat
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Eyelash pit viper
Bothrops schlegeli
Description: Identified by several spiny scales over each eye. Color is highly
variable, from bright yellow over its entire body to reddish-yellow spots
throughout the body.
Characteristics: Arboreal snake that seldom comes to the ground. It feels more
secure in low-hanging trees where it looks for tree frogs and birds. It is a
dangerous species because most of its bites occur on the upper extremities. It
has an irritable disposition. It will strike with little provocation. Its venom is
hemotoxic, causing severe tissue damage. Deaths have occurred from the bites
of these snakes.
Habitat: Tree-loving species found in rain forests; common on plantations and in
palm trees.
Length: Average 45 centimeters (18 inches), maximum 75 centimeters (30
inches).
Distribution: Southern Mexico, throughout Central America, Columbia, Ecuador,
and Venezuela (Figure E-12, page E-21).
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Figure E-12. Eyelash Pit Viper Habitat
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Fer-de-lance
Bothrops atrox
There are several closely related species in this group. All are very dangerous to
man.
Description: Variable coloration, from gray to olive, brown, or reddish, with dark
triangles edged with light scales. Triangles are narrow at the top and wide at the
bottom.
Characteristics: This highly dangerous snake is responsible for a high mortality
rate. It has an irritable disposition, ready to strike with little provocation. The
female fer-de-lance is highly prolific, producing up to
60 young, all with a
dangerous bite. The venom of this species is hemotoxic, painful, and
hemorrhagic (causing profuse internal bleeding). The venom causes massive
tissue destruction.
Habitat: Found on cultivated land and farms, often entering houses in search of
rodents.
Length: Average 1.4 meters (5 feet), maximum 2.4 meters (8 feet).
Distribution: Southern Mexico, throughout Central and South America (Figure
E-13, page E-23).
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Figure E-13. Fer-de-lance Habitat
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Jumping viper
Bothrops nummifer
Description: It has a stocky body. Its ground color varies from brown to gray and
it has dark brown or black dorsal blotches. It has no pattern on its head.
Characteristics: It is chiefly a nocturnal snake. It comes out in the early evening
hours to feed on lizards, rodents, and frogs. As the name implies, this species
can strike with force as it actually leaves the ground. Its venom is hemotoxic.
Humans have died from the bites inflicted by large jumping vipers. They often
hide under fallen logs and piles of leaves and are difficult to see.
Habitat: Found in rain forests, on plantations, and on wooded hillsides.
Length: Average 60 centimeters (24 inches), maximum 120 centimeters (48
inches).
Distribution: Southern Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama,
and El Salvador (Figure E-14, page E-25).
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Figure E-14. Jumping Viper Habitat
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Mojave rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus
Description: This snake’s entire body is a pallid or sandy color with darker
diamond-shaped markings bordered by lighter-colored scales and black bands
around the tail.
Characteristics: Although this rattlesnake is of moderate size, its bite is very
serious. Its venom has quantities of neurotoxic elements that affect the central
nervous system. Deaths have resulted from this snake’s bite.
Habitat: Found in arid regions, deserts, and rocky hillsides from sea level to
2400-meter (7920-feet) elevations.
Length: Average 75 centimeters (29 inches), maximum 1.2 meters (4 feet).
Distribution: Southwest United States, particularly in the Mojave Desert in
California, Nevada, southwest Arizona, and Texas into Mexico (Figure E-15,
page E-27).
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Figure E-15. Mojave Rattlesnake Habitat
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Tropical rattlesnake
Crotalus terrificus
Description: Coloration is light to dark brown with a series of darker rhombs or
diamonds bordered by a buff color.
Characteristics: Extremely dangerous with an irritable disposition, ready to
strike with little or no warning (use of its rattle). This species has a highly toxic
venom containing neurotoxic and hemotoxic components that paralyze the
central nervous system and cause great damage to tissue.
Habitat: Found in sandy places, plantations, and dry hillsides.
Length: Average 1.4 meters (5 feet), maximum 2.1 meters (7 feet).
Distribution: Southern Mexico, Central America, and all of South America
except Chile (Figure E-16, page E-29).
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Figure E-16. Tropical Rattlesnake Habitat
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Western diamondback rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
Description: The body is a light buff color with darker brown diamond-shaped
markings. The tail has heavy black and white bands.
Characteristics: This bold rattlesnake holds its ground. When coiled and rattling,
it is ready to defend itself. It injects a large amount of venom when it bites,
making it one of the most dangerous snakes. Its venom is hemotoxic, causing
considerable pain and tissue damage.
Habitat: It is a very common snake over its range. It is found in grasslands,
deserts, woodlands, and canyons.
Length: Average 1.5 meters (5 feet), maximum 2 meters (7 feet).
Distribution: Southwest United States, particularly southeast California,
Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona (Figure E-17, page E-31).
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Figure E-17. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Habitat
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VENOMOUS SNAKES OF EUROPE
Common adder
Vipera berus
Description: Its color is variable. Some adult specimens are completely black,
while others have a dark zigzag pattern running along the back.
Characteristics: The common adder is a small true viper that has a short temper
and often strikes without hesitation. Its venom is hemotoxic, destroying blood
cells and causing tissue damage. Most injuries occur to campers, hikers, and
field workers.
Habitat: Common adders are found in a variety of habitats, from grassy fields to
rocky slopes, and on farms and cultivated lands.
Length: Average 45 centimeters (18 inches), maximum 60 centimeters (24 inches).
Distribution: Very common throughout most of Europe; northern Morocco
(Figure E-18, page E-33).
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igure E-18. Common Adder Habitat
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Long-nosed adder
Vipera ammodytes
Description: Coloration is gray, brown, or reddish with a dark brown or black
zigzag pattern running the length of its back. A dark stripe is usually found behind
each eye.
Characteristics: A small snake commonly found in much of its range. The term
“long-nosed” comes from the projection of tiny scales located on the tip of its
nose. This viper is responsible for many bites. Deaths have been recorded. Its
venom is hemotoxic, causing severe pain and massive tissue damage. The rate
of survival is good with medical aid.
Habitat: Open fields, cultivated lands, farms, and rocky slopes.
Length: Average 45 centimeters (18 inches), maximum 90 centimeters (35
inches).
Distribution: Italy, Yugoslavia, northern Albania, and Romania (Figure E-19,
page E-35).
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Figure E-19. Long-Nosed Adder Habitat
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JOHN H. TASHJIAN/BERND VON SCHROEDER
Pallas’ viper
Agkistrodon halys
Description: Coloration is gray, tan, or yellow, with markings similar to those of
the American copperhead.
Characteristics: This snake is timid and rarely strikes. Its venom is hemotoxic
but rarely fatal.
Habitat: Found in open fields, hillsides, and farming regions.
Length: Average 45 centimeters (18 inches), maximum 90 centimeters (35
inches).
Distribution: Throughout southeastern Europe (Figure E-20, page E-37).
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Figure E-20. Pallas’ Viper Habitat
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JOHN H. TASHJIAN/BÖTEJE FLARDH
Ursini’s viper
Vipera ursinii
Description: The common adder, long-nosed adder, and Ursini’s viper basically
have the same coloration and dorsal zigzag pattern. The exception among these
adders is that the common adder and Ursini’s viper lack the projection of tiny
scales on the tip of the nose.
Characteristics: These little vipers have an irritable disposition. They will readily
strike when approached. Their venom is hemotoxic. Although rare, deaths from
the bites of these vipers have been recorded.
Habitat: Meadows, farmlands, rocky hillsides, and open, grassy fields.
Length: Average 45 centimeters (18 inches), maximum 90 centimeters (35
inches).
Distribution: Most of Europe, particularly Greece, Germany, Yugoslavia,
France, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania; northern Morocco
(Figure E-21, page E-39).
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Figure E-21. Ursini’s Viper Habitat
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VENOMOUS SNAKES OF AFRICA AND ASIA
JOHN H. TASHJIAN/CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Boomslang
Dispholidus typus
Description: Coloration varies but is generally green or brown, which makes it
very hard to see in its habitat.
Characteristics: Will strike if molested. Its venom is hemotoxic; even small
amounts cause severe hemorrhaging, making it dangerous to man.
Habitat: Found in forested areas. It will spend most of its time in trees or looking
for chameleons and other prey in bushes.
Length: Generally less than 60 centimeters (24 inches).
Distribution: Found throughout sub-Saharan Africa (Figure E-22, page E-41).
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