Huolpoch, the fearsome poisonous Mayan predator

exists in the yucatan peninsula and in Central and South America a snake so poisonous that it is greatly feared by the inhabitants, but it is also one of the most important regulators of fauna in the ecosystem.

It is known as huolpoch snake, with a severe look and brown scales, which lives in dry forests and camouflages itself among the stones and dry trunks, always on the lookout.

Its scientific name is Agkistrodon bilineatus and in other parts it is known as cantil or mexican ground adder”, although his name huolpoch has been respected in the scientific community.

Although it has been sighted in some Central American countries, where grasslands abound, these animals like the coasts of southeastern Mexico, where they are also known as béech-kaan.

So is the fearsome huolpoch snake

It is characterized by having a wide triangular head and its dark colors stand out on the skin, almost black, with light rings and, on occasions, white spots. Adults reach 80 centimeters in length, although there is a record of a specimen that reached 138 centimeters.

In general, they are very aggressive animals with other species, particularly when they feel in danger; however, biologists in Yucatan they know that it is a rather timid animal, which is feared due to the potency of its venom. In fact, when it feels threatened, its first instinct is to run away, but if it cannot do so, it adopts a threatening attitude by raising its head and showing its jaws. It goes without saying that it is always recommended to get as far away from them as possible.

Huolpoch: Threatened species

Although the huolpoch snake is feared by the people of the mayan communitiesit is known to be an endangered species.

Not only the urban advance and the agricultural expansion represent a threat for it, but the inhabitants kill them mercilessly for the fear caused by their bite and potential poison.

Since 2001, the International Union for Conservation of Nature added the huolpoch snake to its Red List and Mexican legislation has it as a protected species, under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010.

Scientific name: Agkistrodon russeolus

Class: Reptile

Family: Viperidae

Distribution: Yucatan Peninsula

Size: Up to 1.20 m

Diet: Invertebrates

Reproduction: Viviparous

Threats: Climate change and extermination

DID YOU KNOW?

In the yucatan peninsula there are five species whose poison is of medical importance. Of the 58 that there are, the nauyaca, rattlesnake, Yucatecan cantil and coralillo are the ones that fall into this category.

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