The eyelash viper is also commonly called the palm viper. Its name exemplifies the scales that extend above each of the snakes eyes. They form a shield over the eyes, which most likely serve to protect them as it slides through the forest tops. The eyelash viper in Costa Rica is one of the few snakes of the Bothrops that stays confined to an arboreal habitat. This gave inspiration for the snakes other common name, the palm viper. The eyelash viper is inherent to a length under one meter; making it small, but deadly. The little of one female shows a wide array of colors. This phenomenon is known as polychromatism and is characteristic to Bothrops. The colors of the species can include gray, brown, green, bright gold, and light blue with darker-colored diamond-shapes incorporated. The body of the bright gold morph shows no pattern; it does have red specks on the tip of some of its scales. These color variations do not appear to have any real advantages (Seifert 384).
The eyelash viper can be found ranging from southern Mexico though the western regions of Ecuador and Venezuela (Seifert 385). They rest up in the branches, sunning themselves until the opportune time to seek their meal. They typically feed on mice, some anoles, and almost all of the smaller species of frogs. They have a lifespan near ten years, but, of course, this does not take into account the mortality rate just after the first year (Seifert 384).
The eyelash viper is the most toxic Bothrops in Costa Rica. It carries between ten and twenty milligrams of venom. Just one drop of the extremely potent venom is exceedingly toxic to humans. Each year, three to six people die from its bite in Costa Rica alone. It is more likely to encounter the snake while it is hanging from tree branches; therefore, the snake bit will be in the superior region of their body (Seifert 385).
Seeing this snake was one of the best parts of my trip. The one that we saw really close up was amazing. I could see its hooded eyes. It looked just like it was described. Plus, it was neat to see such a venomous snake creeping through the trees and striking at us.