How does the slender physical form and habitat preference of *Bothrops jararaca* contrast with the characteristics of *Bothrops alternatus*?
B. jararaca is generally slender and tightly associated with dense tropical forests up to 1,000 meters, whereas B. alternatus has a more robust body and a broader, more temperate distribution including grasslands and marshes.
The text highlights clear morphological and ecological divergence between these two key species. *Bothrops jararaca* is described as generally slender in physical form and shows a tight ecological association with the Atlantic Forest system, inhabiting dense tropical forest and savanna areas up to 1,000 meters in elevation. In contrast, *Bothrops alternatus* (Urutu) is characterized by a notably robust body structure. Furthermore, its distribution is broader and more temperate, spanning several countries and showing a strong preference for humid zones like marshes and riparian areas, although it also occupies grasslands and rocky terrain, indicating greater microclimate tolerance than its forest-specialized relative.
