Bothriechis schlegelii

Eyelash viper
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Crotalinae
Genus:	Bothriechis
Species:	B. schlegelii
Binomial name
Bothriechis schlegelii (Berthold, 1846)
Synonyms
Trigonocephalus Schlegelii Berthold, 1846 [Trigonocephalus] Schlegelii Berthold, 1846 Lachesis nitidus Günther, 1859 T[eleuraspis]. Schlegeli Cope, 1860 B[othrops]. Schlegeli Jan, 1863 Bothrops (Teleuraspis) nigroadspersus Steindachner, 1870 Teleuraspis schlegelii Cope, 1871 Teleuraspis nigroadspersus Cope, 1871 Teleuraspis nitida Cope, 1871 Bothrops Schlegelii Jan & Sordelli, 1875 Th[anatos]. Schlegelii Posada Arango, 1889 Thanatos torvus Posada Arango, 1889 Th[anatophis]. Schlegelii Posada Arango, 1889 Thanatophis torvus Posada Arango, 1889 Bothriechis schlegeli Günther, 1895 Lachesis nitida Günther, 1895 Lachesis schlegelii Boulenger, 1896 Thanatophis colgadora Garcia, 1896 Lachesis schlegeli Boettger, 1898 Trimeresurus schlegelii Mocquard, 1909 Bothriechis schlegelii Cuesta Terron, 1930 Bothrops schlegelii supraciliaris Taylor, 1954 [Bothrops schlegelii schlegelii] Taylor, 1954 Bothrops schlegeli supraciliaris Duellman & Berg, 1962 [Bothrops supraciliaris] Stuart, 1963 Bothrops schlegeli Hoge, 1966 Trigonocephalus Schlegelii Hoge, 1966 Bothriechis schlegelii Campbell & Lamar, 1989[1]

The eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) is a venomous pit viper species found in Central and South America. Small and arboreal, these snakes are characterized by their wide array of color variations, as well as the superciliary scales over the eyes. They are the most common of the green palm-pitvipers (genus Bothriechis),^[2] and are often present in zoological exhibits. The specific name schlegelii honors the German ornithologist, Hermann Schlegel. For other common names see below. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[3]

Description

B. schlegelii

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

B. schlegelii at Melbourne Zoo

The eyelash viper is a relatively small species of pitviper, with adults ranging from 55–82 cm (22–32 in) long, and females being longer and more variable in size than males, which can grow to 69 cm (27 in) long.^[4] They have a wide, triangular-shaped head, and eyes with vertical pupils. Like all pit vipers, they are solenoglyphous, having large, hypodermic needle-like fangs in the upper jaw that fold back when not in use, and have heat sensitive organs, or pits, located on either side of the head between the eye and nostril.

Its most distinguishing feature, and origin of its common name, is the set of modified scales over the eyes that look much like eyelashes. The eyelashes are thought to aid in camouflage, breaking up the snake's outline among the foliage where it hides. B. schlegelii occurs in a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, brown, green, even pink, as well as various combinations thereof. They often have black or brown speckling on the base color. No external features distinguish the two sexes.^[5]

Common names

Common names of B. schlegelii include the eyelash viper,^[6] eyelash pit viper, eyelash palm viper, eyelash palm-pitviper,^[7][5] Schlegel's viper,^[6] Schlegel's pit viper,^[8] Schlegel's palm viper,^[9] eyelash snake,^[2] eyelash lancehead,^[10] eyelash mountain viper,^[6] and horned palm viper.^[2] In Spanish, the primary language of countries comprising its distribution, common names include bocaracá,^[11] oropel (golden morph),^[11] víbora bocaracá, toboba pestanas,^[5] víbora de pestañas^[7] (eyelash viper), and serpiente loro^[7] (parrot snake).

Geographic range

Its range extends from southern Mexico (northern Chiapas), southeastward on the Atlantic plains and lowlands through Central America to northern South America in Colombia and Venezuela. Also found on the Pacific versant and lowlands in parts of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Occurs in mesic forest at elevations almost from sea level to 2640 m altitude. The type locality is “Popayan” (Popayán, Colombia).^[1]

Habitat

B. schlegelii prefers lower altitude, humid, tropical areas with dense foliage, generally not far from a permanent water source.

Behavior

B. schlegelii at the Philadelphia Zoo.

Like other Bothriechis members, this species is arboreal, having a strongly prehensile tail. It is largely nocturnal, consuming small rodents, frogs, lizards and small birds.^[4] They are not known to be an aggressive snake, but will not hesitate to strike if harassed.

A typical ambush predator, it waits patiently for unsuspecting prey to wander by. Sometimes, it is known to select a specific ambush site and return to it every year in time for the spring migration of birds. Studies have indicated that these snakes learn to improve their strike accuracy over time. Sometimes these snakes (especially juveniles) will employ what is known as “caudal luring”, where they will wiggle their tail in worm-like motions to encourage potential prey to move within striking range. There is a myth among villagers in some small areas of South America that the snake will wink, flashing its eyelashes at its victim, following a venomous strike. (Snakes are not physiologically capable of such behavior.)

Reproduction

Eyelash vipers reach sexual maturity at around two years of age, and the ovoviviparous species reproduces throughout the year in warm environments.^[4] Females carry eggs for around six months before they hatch internally, where the young complete their development.^[4] Pregnant females have enlarged lower abdomens, and may stop eating in later stages of pregnancy.^[4] In a typical brood they give birth to 2–20 live young, which are 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in) in length and appear physically similar to adults.^[4]

Males engage in a sometimes hours-long courtship ritual called a "dance of the adders", in which two males posture and intimidate one another in an upright, "cobra-like" stance until one is pushed away or falls to the ground.^[4] They are polygynous, and usually mate at night.^[4]

Captivity

Despite the inherent danger of its venom, B. schlegelii is frequently available in the exotic animal trade, and is well represented in zoos worldwide. It is frequently captive bred for color and pattern. Exporting from the wild is not as common as it once was, but is not unknown. In general they make hardy captives, readily feeding on provided mice.

Taxonomy

Some authorities also recognize a montane form that is treated either as a subspecies (B. s. supraciliaris) or as a species (B. supraciliaris).^[6] Found in the province of San José in Costa Rica,^[12] it was sometimes referred to as the eyelash mountain viper,^[6] while more recent publications recognizing the species designation refer to it as the blotched palm-pitviper.^[13][14]

Conservation

Eyelash vipers have not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List, and were removed from CITES Appendix III in 2002.^[4] While not listed as threatened, they are likely at risk of habitat loss from increased deforestation for timber, agriculture, and urbanization.^[4]

See also

• List of crotaline species and subspecies
• Crotalinae by common name
• Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References

1. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
2. Lewis, Robert Alan (23 March 1998). Lewis' Dictionary of Toxicology. CRC Press. p. 187. ISBN 978-1-56670-223-2.
3. "Bothriechis schlegelii". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 June 2007.
4. Sinnett, Katy. "ADW: Bothrichis schlegelii information". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
5. Guyer, Craig; Donnelly, Maureen A. (2005). Amphibians and Reptiles of La Selva, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean Slope: A Comprehensive Guide. University of California Press. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-520-93701-7.
6. Mehrtens, John M. (1987). Living snakes of the world in color. Sterling Pub. Co. ISBN 978-0-8069-6460-7.
7. "Common Names for Eyelash Palm Pit Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii)". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
8. Parker HW, Grandison AGC. 1977. Snakes -- a natural history. Second Edition. British Museum (Natural History) and Cornell University Press. 108 pp. 16 plates. LCCCN 76-54625. ISBN 0-8014-1095-9 (cloth), ISBN 0-8014-9164-9 (paper),
9. Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.
10. Wrobel, Murray (4 December 2004). Elsevier's Dictionary of Reptiles. Elsevier. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-08-045920-2.
11. Henderson, Carrol L. (30 November 2010). Mammals, Amphibians, and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Field Guide. University of Texas Press. p. 150. ISBN 978-0-292-78464-2.
12. "Facts about Bothriechis supraciliaris". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
13. O'Shea, Mark (March 2008). Venomous Snakes of the World. New Holland Publishers. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-84773-086-2.
14. Lillywhite, Harvey B. (April 2014). How Snakes Work: Structure, Function and Behavior of the World's Snakes. Oxford University Press. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-19-538037-8.

External links

• Bothriechis schlegelii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 12 December 2007.
• Eyelash viper at WhoZoo. Accessed 27 November 2008.
• Eyelash pit viper. Accessed 27 November 2008.