<herpetology> Any member of the snake family Crotalidae. ... (05 Mar 2000) ... 
(kro´tә-lid) pit viper.
a venomous snake belonging to the sub family Crotalinae. Pit vipers. These snakes have heat sensitive pits on the face and fangs in the front of the upper jaw that fold up against the roof of the mouth. Includes Cottonmouths, Copperheads, Rattlesnakes, Cantils, South American pit vipers and Asian pit vipers.
Type: Term Pronunciation: krō′tă-lid Definitions: 1. Any member of the snake family Crotalidae.