Bothrops ammodytoides is known as "Yarará ñata" (Spanish for "short-nosed yarará"), making reference to its characteristic snout. Found only in Argentina in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Córdoba, Chubut, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Neuquén, Río Negro, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz and Tucumán. The vertical distribution ranges from sea level to at least altitude. The type locality was first listed as "northern Argentina" and later emended to "province of Mendoza" Campbell and Lamar (1989). The geographic range of "Bothrops ammodytoides" extends to 47° S Latitude, which may make it the world's southernmost snake. Prefers dry regions, occurring in temperate
Catamarca Province low humidity and high solar radiation. Before the arrival of the Spanish conquest, most of today's Catamarca was inhabited by the Diaguitas indigenous people, including the fierce Calchaquí tribe. In 1558 Juan Pérez de Zurita founded "San Juan de la Ribera de Londres", but since it was constantly under attack by indigenous people its population remained small; it was re-founded several times at new sites with new names. The sixth foundation was by Fernando de Mendoza Mate de Luna on July 5, 1683, with the name "San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca". When the Viceroyalty of the Río de la