ANIMAL: Eyelash Viper/Eyelash Palm Pit Viper Bothriechis schlegelii Type of Animal: Viper Habitat: Tropical forest, dense sea-level forest, old-growth lowland evergreen forest, heavily disturbed lowland evergreen forest, old-growth lowland semideciduous forest, heavily disturbed lowland semideciduous forest, vegetation in moist lowlands/foothills, cloud forest, montane/mountain forest, shrubby areas in tropical forest, forested dense shrub thickets, cacao/coffee/banana plantations, humid tropical areas near water, deep shady ravines, rural gardens, pastures w/ scattered trees, plains Location(s): Found from S Mexico to Peru Appearance: Color can be yellow, red, green, brown, pink, golden, or combination of colors, wide triangular head, horn-like scales resembling eyelashes near eyes, often has black/brown speckling Food/Diet: Lizards, frogs, birds, small mammals Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos, herpetoculture, & breeding centers Lifestyle: Solitary Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young: Snakelet Group: Solitary Weight: Male: 8 oz Female: 12 oz Gestation: 6 months Life Span: 10 years in wild, 16-20 years in captivity Body Length: Male: 1.21-2.26 ft Female: 1.15-2.69 ft Young: 9 in Tail Length: Male: 1.89-5.15 in Female: 1.794-6.13 in Young: 1.17-1.71 in Main predators are predatory mammals, raptors, crocodilians, other snakes, & predatory fish. Ovoviviparous, w/ female retaining fertilized eggs in body, w/ eggs hatching internally. Result is birth of 2-25 live young. Active at night (nocturnal). Camouflage comes in handy for catching prey as well as hiding from predators. Very rarely come to the ground. Usually obtain water from droplets in trees. Males face each other in upright stance, attempting to push rival down. Sexually mature at 2 years old. Like all pit-vipers, they have a great sense of smell & heat-sensing pits detect infrared radiation of warm-blooded prey. Named for eyelash-like structures near eyes. Fun Fact(s): Yellow individuals camouflage so well in bananas they’ve been accidentally transported to other countries. Like all venomous snakes, they’re venomous from birth. These snakes very shy, preferring to flee if confronted by people. Bites most often occur on plantations where they camouflage very well-most bites occur on hands/face. Venom mostly hemotoxic but also has neurotoxins, making it highly dangerous since cardiovascular system & central nervous system affected. Bites very painful as well as causing swelling, bruising, bleb formation, & necrosis.
