Bothriechis schlegelii

Taxobox
name = "Bothriechis schlegelii"

---

regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia = Viperidae
subfamilia = Crotalinae
genus = "Bothriechis"
species = "B. schlegelii"
binomial = "Bothriechis schlegelii"
binomial_authority = (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, 1989McDiarmid 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).]

:"Common names: eyelash viper, eyelash mountain viper, Schlegel's viper,Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.] more.""Bothriechis schlegelii" is a venomous pitviper 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. Often present in zoological exhibits. Named after the German ornithologist, Hermann Schlegel. No subspecies are currently recognized.ITIS|ID=585768|taxon=Bothriechis schlegelii|year=2007|date=4 June]

Description

-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 it usually hides in. "B. schlegelii" occurs in a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, brown, green, even pink, as well as various combinations therof. They often have black or brown speckling on the base color.

Common names

Eyelash viper, eyelash mountain viper, Schlegel's viper, Schlegel's palm viper,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.] eyelash snake, horned palm viper.U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.] eyelash pit viper, Schlegel's pit viper.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),] eyelash palm-pitviper. Also known as "Bocaracá" in Costa Rica and other Latin American countries.Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.]

Geographic range

Its range extends from southern Mexico (northern Chiapas), southeastward on the Atlantic slope 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).

Habitat

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

Behavior

s. 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. ^{[http://www.bio.usyd.edu.au/Shinelab/old%20labbers/mark/349whydojuvenile.pdf]} 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.

Reproduction

Eyelash vipers are ovoviviparous, giving birth to an average of 10-12 young on a yearly basis, that are 6-8 inches in length.

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. As they make impressive display specimens, particularly desirable colorations can command high prices.

Taxonomy

Some authorities also recognize a montane form that is treated either as a subspecies ("B. s. supraciliaris") or as a species ("B. supraciliaris"). It has been commonly referred to as the "eyelash mountain viper" and is only found in the province of San José in Costa Rica.

ee also

* List of crotaline species and subspecies
*
*
* Snakebite

References

External links

*
*. Accessed 4 May 2007.
* [http://www.whozoo.org/Intro2000/shawloud/EKL_EYELASH_VIPER.htm Eyelash Viper] at [http://www.whozoo.org/ WhoZoo] . Accessed 4 June 2007.