pit viper

American  

noun

1. any of numerous venomous snakes of the family Crotalidae, of the New World, Asia, and the Malay Archipelago, as the rattlesnake, water moccasin, and copperhead, having a heat-sensitive pit on each side of the head between the eye and nostril.

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pit viper British  

noun

1. any venomous snake of the New World family Crotalidae, having a heat-sensitive organ in a pit on each side of the head: includes the rattlesnakes

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pit viper Scientific  

1. Any of various very venomous snakes of the family Crotalidae. Pit vipers are characterized by a triangular head with a small sensory pit below each eye. The pits detect infrared radiation and help the snake locate prey. Some scientists classify the pit vipers as a subfamily Crotalinae within the Viperidae, the family of vipers, rather than as a separate family. Copperheads, rattlesnakes, and fer-de-lances are pit vipers.

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Etymology

Origin of pit viper

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

In their post, they said they had seized three spider-tailed horned vipers, five Asian leaf turtles and 44 Indonesian pit vipers from the passenger.

From BBC

It is visible to pit vipers as heat, giving them a Predator-like advantage for hunting.

From Salon

For instance, pit viper venom has already led to the development of a blood pressure medication.

From National Geographic

However, some populations of the new species are bright green with no blotches and look virtually identical to the redtail pit viper.

From Science Daily

He explained about the warning signs—the rotten-egg stench of sulfur gas, the mudslides, and, of course, the pit vipers.

From Literature