Bothrops/Definition

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Bothrops [r]: is a genus of venomous pitvipers (also known as "lanceheads") found in Central and South America. The generic name is derived from the Greek words bothros and ops that mean "pit" and "eye" or "face"; an allusion to the heat-sensitive loreal pit organs. Members of this genus are responsible for more human deaths in the Americas than any other group of venomous snakes.