Central American Eyelash Viper
Scientific nameBothriechis nigroadspersus
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern
The Central American Eyelash Viper is a bright yellow snake named for the small, bristly, keeled scales just above each eye.
Sydney
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You can see a Central American Eyelash Viper in ARC.
Fun facts about Central American Eyelash Vipers
We bet you didn't know these facts about these Eyelash Vipers.
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Why the long eyelashes?
The function of their "eyelashes" or horn-like, modified scales is not fully understood, but it is thought that they protect the eyes as the snake moves through dense vegetation.
Absolutley bananas
Because of their relatively small size and ability to become camouflaged among bright yellow fruit, yellow Central American Eyelash Vipers have been accidentally shipped throughout the world in boxes of bananas.
Toxic Viper
Central American Eyelash Vipers are nocturnal predators. They paralyse their prey by injecting haemotoxic venom (toxins capable of destroying red blood cells).
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Where they're found
These Vipers are found spanning right across Central America, from southern Mexico to northern Colombia.
20yrs
Eyelash vipers can live to 20 years.
82cm
Females can be anywhere from 35-82cm long, where males can be from 37-69cm.
What they eat
Carnivore – small rodents, frogs, lizards, and small birds.
225g
Central American Eyelash Vipers weigh around 225g.
Their habitat
Moist tropical forests and rainforests. Streamside vegetation in moist lowlands and mountain foothills to high-elevation montane and cloud forests.
Where they're found
These Vipers are found spanning right across Central America, from southern Mexico to northern Colombia.
20yrs
Eyelash vipers can live to 20 years.
82cm
Females can be anywhere from 35-82cm long, where males can be from 37-69cm.
What they eat
Carnivore – small rodents, frogs, lizards, and small birds.
225g
Central American Eyelash Vipers weigh around 225g.
Their habitat
Moist tropical forests and rainforests. Streamside vegetation in moist lowlands and mountain foothills to high-elevation montane and cloud forests.
Central American Eyelash Viper deep dive
Discover more about what makes these vipers so unique!
