Bothrops pirajai

Bothrops pirajai is a venomous pit viper species endemic to Brazil. No subspecies are currently recognized. The specific name, pirajai, is in honor of Brazilian parasitologist Pirajá da Silva, who in 1923 was director of the Bahia branch of the Instituto Butantan. The maximum total length recorded for this species is 137 cm (54 in). It is stocky and terrestrial. Found in Brazil in central and southern Bahia. Possibly, it may also occur in Minas Gerais. The type locality given is 'Ilheos, Bahia, Brazil'. This species is classified as vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List for the following criteria: A1c (v2.3, 1994). This means that it is not Critically Endangered or Endangered, but is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future due to population reduction in the form of an observed, estimated, inferred or suspected reduction of at least 20% over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, based on a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat. The rainforest inhabited by this species is unfortunately decreasing in area and quality, while becoming increasingly fragmented through deforestation. The areas that have been cleared are mainly being used for cocoa plantations.