Face to Face with the DEADLIEST Snake You've Never Heard Of - The Toadhead Viper

Venomous snakes are among the most feared animals in the world, but what if I told you that you probably haven't heard of some of the craziest ones out there? Deep in the cloud forests of the Ecuadorian Andes, there is a viper so rare that very few people have ever seen one alive - the Ecuadorian toadhead. Today, our mission is to track down one of these deadly snakes, get it up close to the camera for you, and not get bitten in the process...
Firstly, a huge thank you to Emilio from ‪@AnimalEncountersEP‬ for orchestrating our entire Ecuador trip and providing such amazing local knowledge, guidance, and experience in hunting these incredibly elusive snakes. Also, without Jack and Gage ‪@JacksWorldofWildlife‬ and Rex / mistersceloporus , we probably would not have been able to find this toadhead at all, and working with it would have been far less comfortable than it was. Plus, the amazing thumbnail viper subject for this video comes from one of Rex's photos, so definitely check out his work for more like it. And finally, we can't forget to thank Spencer ‪@MyWildBackyard‬ for his input in the creation of this video and the dope snake strike shots at the beginning. Go give them all some love!
Music:
Song: Kevin MacLeod - Infados
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Song: Kevin MacLeod - Journey to Ascend
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Song: Kevin MacLeod - Hiding Your Reality
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Song: Bensound - Evolution
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Song: Kevin MacLeod - Chee Zee Jungle
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Song: Kevin MacLeod - Decisions
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Welcome to The Wildlife Brothers channel! We are Harrison and Evan Black, passionate zoology enthusiasts and conservationists, and it is our ambition to educate and inspire people to conserve our world's wildlife! It has always been our dream to get people excited about wildlife, from the local animals in your backyard to the endangered species in dire need of our help.
By bringing our passion, knowledge, and skills onto a global platform we hope to introduce you to the wildlife we love, and start a conversation that will help make a difference in protecting the natural world. The time to act is now, so join us as we explore our world's ecosystems and encounter the incredible species that call them home! We're glad to have you with us, so let's get going!

[@MyWildBackyard]

Great find! Wish I'd come down a week earlier to get a shot at seeing one myself!

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

We appreciate it man! We’ll hit the cloud forest again for sure, but we also have a chance at the Amazon soon, so… Thanks for everything man

[@cj-5426]

still surprised you don't have more subs yet. it's definitely going to pop off at some point.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

We really appreciate it! KZbin is a slow grind, but one that we’re enjoying, so we’ll keep it up. Thanks for watching!

[@JacksWorldofWildlife]

Incredible video boys! Easily one of the coolest snakes we could’ve seen in Ecuador!

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Much appreciated, Jack! Getting to share that experience with you was a pleasure and an honor, can’t wait to get out in the field together again soon!

[@LifesWildAdventures]

Like a much more responsive mountain moccasin. Toad heads make me more nervous than those fer de lance lol

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

She (I think it was a female) was actually remarkably chill, in the entire time we were all working with her she really never showed any notable signs of defensiveness or tried to strike. Not a snake to muck around with, but they’re plaicd and have an LD-50 of 7.5, so I would say I’m more nervous around a fer-de-lance, as much as I love them too. Thanks so much for watching man, I hope you enjoyed.

[@travismcenery2919]

Really enjoyed this one, guys! I'm not usually a snake guy but this was fascinating. It's amazing you got to do a video on such a rare animal, with your own firsthand encounter. Nicely done.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Thank you so much Travis! It is truly an honor to have gotten to feature such a rare and unique viper, and we’re really glad you enjoyed. We appreciate it!

[@NatureInYourFace]

What an incredible find bros!! Could feel the excitement you felt seeing that snake for the first time. Nothing like it. Well done, we need to get down to that area. Such cool herp species!

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Thank you so much guys! There’s no feeling quite like seeing a snake that impressive and rare for the first time, you know it better than anyone that it’s hard to beat. We appreciate the support as always!

[@smetlogik]

If you’re finding toadheads, you’re destined for greatness.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Coming from you that means the world. Hope you enjoyed the video man! Would love to hit the cloud forest with you one day.

[@smetlogik]

@@TheWildlifeBrothers We'll start with AZ and move to the cloud forest.

[@Herbie11]

Never heard of both of those snakes. Awesome find. Thank you for educating us all.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

They’re amazing animals, we’re really happy we were able to highlight them a bit. We appreciate you watching!

[@OchoVerde]

Wow... nice snake! Great name as well. Thanks for introducingus to this unusual viper! A reptile with an amphibian name.. What can be more herpy than that! In Costa Rica we have several members of the Urotheca genus. They are called Glass Tails as they are brittle as you mentioned.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Toadhead vipers are absolutely amazing, one of those rarities that we didn’t even think was possible for us to find, so it’s gratifying to be able to share their story with the world a bit. The ribboned brittle snake was our first Urotheca, I’d like to learn more about their ecology the next time I’m in range. We really need to get back to Costa Rica, there is a staggering amount that we haven’t seen yet. It would be an honor to hit the field with you, and if you ever find yourself in the Pennsylvania or New York area let us know! Thank you so much for watching.

[@naturewithgabe]

Wow, cool stuff highlighting species not often seen online. That toad head looks so much like a copperhead, I’m surprised they aren’t in the same genus!

[@naturewithgabe]

You two do a really nice job of highlighting seldomly seen species. Hopefully you can continue to get opportunities to do that on your channel. Nice work.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Thank you so much Gabe! It’s always a pleasure and an honor when we get to highlight a species that hasn’t been featured before, there are so many overlooked animals out there whose stories are absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much for watching!

[@highjinx6519]

That was my first thought as well, looks so much like a copperhead.

[@NYInsectFinders]

what a cool species of viper 🔥 it’s actually so sad when u stop and think about habitat loss for endemic animals. reminds me of some of the other parts of the world that are experience the same thing 🤦‍♂️😭

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

They are amazing aren’t they? There are so many parts of the world that are experiencing scary declines, but there is still so much incredible life out there, and a lot of people who care about it. Thank you so much for your support and for being a part of that!

[@Cityconnectsportscards]

Such a cool video

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Thank you so much! This one was super fun to shoot and edit, we’re glad you enjoyed!

[@joykurtz7355]

Amazing- so glad you didn’t touch it! Is the hissing sound the snake or background sounds?

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

We figured you would be! The hissing is the background sounds, the snake was remarkably calm the whole time.

[@JeSuisSatchel]

Babe new wildlife bros

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

The only babe here is you

[@jerryware5749]

Looks quite a bit like a copperhead.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

They do, don’t they? There are some color morphs from this region that are quite a bit more distinct, some of them have a blue or even light purple color to them. Thanks for watching!

[@highjinx6519]

@@TheWildlifeBrotherswow I bet those are beautiful!

[@ThePollaton]

Extremely rare species of jacksworldofwildlifeias. I’m sure I spotted one. 🤔

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

That’s the most special creature we’ve ever life-listed!

[@1911A1jimbo]

Is there a Bothrocophias that is not deadly?

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

All of the Bothrocophias species are considered to be medically significant, and I would classify them all as potentially deadly. Thank you for watching!

[@jonathanmiller8977]

Reminds me of a copper head.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

They really do look similar, they’ve essentially evolved to fill the same role in their respective ecosystems, so the resemblance makes sense. Thanks for watching!

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Hello, dudes! Ah, I see you did a video about an interesting snake.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

We did indeed! Toadhead vipers are amazing, it’s still a bit surreal that we actually found one and got a video. Thanks for watching!

[@tonyburns4873]

Yeah I'm sure the one I got one in my collection

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

There aren’t many in captivity to my knowledge, so that’s super cool that you have one! Thanks for watching!

[@youngamerican488]

Thanks for the education … I was walking around our frog filled pond. 🥾🐍 I never intended to get close enough to have it 💩on me… I took a photo of it and googled it. I am texting you from Massachusetts, The Berkshires. # Otis is the place to be 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🐸🐍💭… tastes like chicken .

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Very smart to get an ID from a safe distance, up in Massachusetts the only snake that resembles this species is the copperhead, which we’ll have a video about fairly soon. We’re glad you enjoyed the video, thank you very much for your support!

[@richardhincemon]

No antivenom means bites are rare and not profitable to produce a antivenom for the Toadhead Viper Bothrops species.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

That’s true, and that makes sense given how rare it is for people to encounter toadheads. Thank you for watching!

[@joykurtz7355]

Where did you find the footage of the snake moving? Did you wait there or was this from other footage?

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

We waited around to see what it would do and it briefly came onto the trail, so we were able to get some nice shots in the open!

[@joykurtz7355]

As always these videos are so informative and unique! Great job- even for those less fond of snakes!!!

[@kennethshaw626]

Give me a break. If you don't mess with them they won't mess with you? Like the saw tailed viper this snake just stays in one spot. If you happen to walk over them they aren't going to runaway they will just bite you. They are an ambush snake and whatever comes within range, they will bite.😅

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

If you happen to walk near one of these snakes they’re not likely to flee, but they’re not likely to bite either, unless you mess with them. We demonstrate that clearly in this video, and at no point during our interactions or those of our friends later on did this snake show any signs of defensiveness. They will bite whatever prey item comes within range, but for them to feel the need to bite in self defense takes some antagonizing.

[@redbeastgaming130mm4]

Kinda looks like a copperhead

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

They do look pretty similar, especially in our thumbnail. They’re very impressive in person, actually quite pretty snakes. Thanks for watching!

[@redbeastgaming130mm4]

​@@TheWildlifeBrothers I would like to see a Gaboon Viper in the wild

[@Bob-wc8hp]

What you should of done is get some antivenom and take a bite just to show people what to do and not do if bit

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Antivenom is a little bit out of our price range to source unfortunately, but we’re just happy to be able to show off the true nature of these snakes. Thanks for watching!

[@curryfangsw1303]

Free curry

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Whether Steph Curry or chicken tikka curry, both should be free

[@curryfangsw1303]

Fr

[@creativekitchencook]

Awesome sharing friend, sending support ❤.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@tonosyahhira7436]

L 44: hallo sahabatku salam kenal ya...terimakasih sudah di ajak blusukan menikmati keindahan alam liar yang masih indah dan asri aku suka mengikuti pengembaraanmu terus semangat ya...aku mendukungmu paket penuh kita saling merangkul ya...aku tunggu di pondok sebekah ok...!!!🍻💝👏 komplite

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Terimakasih banyak! We’re very glad you enjoyed, thank you for watching!