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Animal profile

Eyelash Viper

Bothriechis schlegelii

ReptiliaHumid lowland and montane rainforest, often in low vegetation and palm foliage, in Central and northern South AmericaLeast Concern

Field profile

The eyelash viper is a small arboreal pit viper with raised bristle-like scales above each eye and a prehensile tail. It occurs in a wide range of colours from moss green to bright yellow within a single population. It ambushes frogs, lizards, birds and small mammals from foliage.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-07-09

Eyelash Viper

One eyelash viper litter holds several colours

Green, mossy grey, rust and a vivid gold form all occur in the same species, sometimes among siblings. The colour is not a subspecies or a regional variety but genuine polymorphism within a single interbreeding population.

Read with evidence →

Eyelash Viper | Daily Animal Facts