Stats

Lifespan: 10-16 yrs
Size: Small
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Nocturnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Tropical rainforest
Range: Central and South America
Movement: Climbing
Breeding: Live Birth
Defense: Venom
Status: Rare

About

A small arboreal pit viper named for the modified superciliary scales that jut above its eyes like eyelashes, helping it blend into bromeliads and tropical foliage. It occurs in a remarkable array of color morphs — including a brilliant all-gold form called 'oropel' — making it one of the most visually variable venomous snakes in the Americas.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling
A miniature snake emerges from the egg or from its mother (live-bearers), already venomous or strong-coiled in some species.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile sheds its skin, grows quickly, and hunts smaller prey than the adults.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult length and pattern.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bothriechis
Species: Bothriechis schlegelii