The eyelash viper is an arboreal snake up to 80 cm long with a distinct triangular head and characteristic scales-"eyelashes" above the eyes. Its body is covered with dense scales of bright color - green, yellow or pink - which serve as camouflage in the foliage. Vertical pupils, thermopits and a prehensile tail give it away as a nocturnal, ambush predator, perfectly adapted to life in the crowns of the tropical forest.
RangeFound in tropical rainforests of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and surrounding regions. Commonly seen on low branches, vines, or shrubs, typically 1–2 meters above the ground. Mostly nocturnal, ambush predator.
🌙 Behavior
Ambush predator, active mostly at night (nocturnal). Feeds on birds, frogs, lizards, and small mammals. Not aggressive, but will strike if provoked or stepped on.
ReproductionOvoviviparous (gives birth to live young). Female carries fertilized eggs internally. Litter size: 5–15 neonates. Newborns are venomous from birth
⚠️ Venom:
Specification 🐍Latin name: Bothriechis schlegelii
Family: Viperidae
Size: 50–80 cm
Weight: 200g
Lifespan: 10-12 years
🎁 Fun Fact: Some eyelash vipers have bright pink coloration, earning them the nickname "barbie snakes". Despite their cute appearance, they are fully venomous and highly effective predators.
⚠️Advice: 🌿 When walking in the rainforest at night, never grab branches with bare hands, especially at chest or face level. These snakes don’t hiss or flee — they rely entirely on camouflage. You might be inches away without noticing.
✍️Safety Tips:
- Never approach or handle.
- Watch where you walk in dense vegetation.
- Wear boots on forest trails.