The beautiful Eyelash Pit-Viper
The lush forests of Central and South America are home to a fascinating and venomous creature known as the Eyelash Pit-Viper. Scientifically referred to as Bothriechis schlegelii, this little-known snake is a member of the subfamily of pit vipers and is characterized by its small size, arboreal nature, and unique «horns» that sit above the eyes. It is named after the renowned German zoologist Hermann Schlegel, who first identified this species.
The Eyelash Pit-Viper may be small, but it is striking in appearance. It typically measures no more than 75 cm in length, with females generally being longer than males. Its head is triangular, and its eyes have vertical pupils that give it a distinct look. It also has loreal pits on either side of its head, which it uses to detect prey that emits infrared radiation. This ability is shared by other pit vipers.
This snake can be found in a range of countries, including Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. It prefers to live in tropical areas that are dense with foliage, often near sources of water, and can be found in humid forests at elevations ranging from sea level to 2640 meters above sea level.
Bothriechis schlegelii is ovoviviparous, and a litter averages 10–12 young each year but can consist of up to 20 individuals. The hatchlings range in size from 6–8 inches.
The Eyelash Pit-Viper is mainly active at night and is an arboreal species, meaning it spends much of its time in trees. It feeds on a variety of prey, including small rodents, frogs, snakes, and small birds. Though it is not an aggressive snake, it will attack if it feels threatened. Its venom is primarily hemotoxic but also contains strongly myotoxic factors. While bites from this species are rare and usually not fatal, young children are at risk of fatality. Severe poisoning can cause intense local pain, swelling, mild tissue necrosis, dizziness, nausea, and respiratory distress. Unfortunately, there is no specific antidote for bites from this species.
The Clodomiro Picado Research Institute of the University of Costa Rica uses the venom of Bothriechis schlegelii to produce antiserum.
The Eyelash Pit- Viper in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is home to a unique species of snake found in the Caribbean and some parts of the southeastern and central Pacific regions. They prefer humid tropical forests and are primarily arboreal, and nocturnal, and feed on small birds, rodents, and frogs. They can be identified by two scales protruding from their eyes, resembling eyelashes. Their spots and colors vary, and they are known as the «eyelash snake». These elusive and beautiful snakes are a must-see for nature lovers visiting national parks like Gandoca-Manzanillo or Cahuita.