Bothriechis schlegelii, commonly known as the eyelash viper, is a venomous snake of the family Viperidae that inhabits the rainforests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Colombia and Venezuela. Its name comes from the elongated scales that protrude above its eyes, similar to "eyelashes", giving it a unique and distinctive appearance. This feature is thought to help break up its silhouette and improve its camouflage among dense vegetation.
The eyelash viper is a relatively small snake, measuring between 50 and 80 centimeters in length, although in some cases it can reach 90 centimeters. Its body is robust and its coloration is extremely variable, allowing it to blend perfectly with its surroundings. Colors can include shades of green, yellow, brown, gray or even combinations of these, often with irregular or mottled patterns that mimic the look of leaves or moss. This camouflage is crucial to its lifestyle, as it spends much of its time motionless, waiting to ambush its prey from low branches or among vegetation.
This species is arboreal and nocturnal, meaning it spends most of its time in trees and is most active at night. It feeds primarily on small mammals, birds, frogs and lizards, which it hunts by ambushing. Thanks to its hemotoxic venom, which destroys tissue and causes blood clotting, the Bothriechis schlegelii can quickly immobilize its prey. Although its bite is dangerous to humans, it is rarely fatal if medical treatment is received in time.
Behaviorally, the eyelash viper is generally solitary and territorial, preferring to remain in a strategic position for long periods of time. Its hunting relies on stealth and patience, and once it captures its prey, it ingests it whole, as is common for snakes.
The Bothriechis schlegelii is ovoviviparous, meaning that females retain the eggs within their body until the young are ready to hatch. The young then emerge fully formed, independent and capable of hunting from the moment they are born.
This snake is found in tropical and subtropical rainforests, preferring areas with dense vegetation and nearby bodies of water such as rivers or streams. Although not considered endangered, deforestation and destruction of its natural habitat pose significant threats to wild populations of the Bothriechis schlegelii. Its striking appearance and fascinating behavior have made it an iconic species of rainforests and an object of interest in both herpetology and wildlife photography.
Approximate measurements of the Bothriechis:
The eyelash viper is a relatively small snake, measuring between 50 and 80 centimeters in length, although in some cases it can reach 90 centimeters. Its body is robust and its coloration is extremely variable, allowing it to blend perfectly with its surroundings. Colors can include shades of green, yellow, brown, gray or even combinations of these, often with irregular or mottled patterns that mimic the look of leaves or moss. This camouflage is crucial to its lifestyle, as it spends much of its time motionless, waiting to ambush its prey from low branches or among vegetation.
This species is arboreal and nocturnal, meaning it spends most of its time in trees and is most active at night. It feeds primarily on small mammals, birds, frogs and lizards, which it hunts by ambushing. Thanks to its hemotoxic venom, which destroys tissue and causes blood clotting, the Bothriechis schlegelii can quickly immobilize its prey. Although its bite is dangerous to humans, it is rarely fatal if medical treatment is received in time.
Behaviorally, the eyelash viper is generally solitary and territorial, preferring to remain in a strategic position for long periods of time. Its hunting relies on stealth and patience, and once it captures its prey, it ingests it whole, as is common for snakes.
The Bothriechis schlegelii is ovoviviparous, meaning that females retain the eggs within their body until the young are ready to hatch. The young then emerge fully formed, independent and capable of hunting from the moment they are born.
This snake is found in tropical and subtropical rainforests, preferring areas with dense vegetation and nearby bodies of water such as rivers or streams. Although not considered endangered, deforestation and destruction of its natural habitat pose significant threats to wild populations of the Bothriechis schlegelii. Its striking appearance and fascinating behavior have made it an iconic species of rainforests and an object of interest in both herpetology and wildlife photography.
Approximate measurements of the Bothriechis:
- 1:1 Scale Complete
- Length 125 mm
- Height 31 mm
- Width 106 mm
- Snout-tail length 750 mm
