What distinct dorsal patterning characterizes *Bothrops alternatus*, earning it the common name Crossed Pit Viper?
Bold, chocolate-brown to black dorsolateral markings boldly bordered in cream or white, sometimes forming a zigzag on the tail.
*Bothrops alternatus*, also known as the Urutu or Crossed Pit Viper, possesses a highly recognizable pattern crucial for its survival in specific niches like grasslands or temperate deciduous forests where sunlight penetration creates varied ground cover. This pattern consists of striking, high-contrast markings. Specifically, the dorsolateral markings are described as bold, ranging from chocolate-brown to black, and are conspicuously bordered by cream or white coloration. This high-contrast configuration can visually resemble a cross, and these markings may fuse into a zigzag pattern along the snake's tail. This vivid pattern provides effective cryptic coloration against the mottled light and varied substrate found in its preferred, more temperate and open habitats.
