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"Only now do we know the true story- Megarachne was a giant prehistoric sea scorpion." |
With thick scales above its eyes and wearing what looks like an evil smile, the eyelash viper presents a nasty image-and it lives up to it. This venomous reptile strikes from the trees, injecting a large dose of venom into victims. The eyelash viper comes in a wild assortment of colors that allow it to camouflage itself among the fruits and flowering trees in tropical American jungles. Prey often doesn't realize danger is near until it's too late.
No Makeup Needed: The eyelash viper got its name from the two long scales above its eyes that point upward, like thick eyelashes. These scales give the viper a sinister appearance, but their real purpose is to protect its eyes while the snake crawls through thick cover.
Tree Hugger: This snake lives almost entirely in trees. The viper wraps its flexible tail around branches to give it a firm grip while sleeping during the day and also when striking at prey.
Color Coded[]
This viper will open its mouth wide and hiss at intruders.
One eyelash viper can look radically different from the next. Though members of the same species, their colors and skin patterns can be quite varied. Some are yellow, but others can be green with rusty splotches, light red with yellow stripes or other bright color combinations. The bold colors actually help the snake capture prey. Curious birds seem to think the snake is a cluster of ripe fruits or flowers, and hop within the viper's striking distance to investigate.
Hot Target: Two pits on this snake's snout help it "see" its warm-blooded victims in the dark. The pits sense the body heat given off by its prey, and allow the snake to strike with perfect accuracy in near darkness.
Fast-Acting: This viper's venom attacks a victim's nervous system. The snake doesn't let go once it sinks its fangs into prey; it hangs on to make sure the meal doesn't fall to the ground where scavengers can steal it.
Blending In[]
Some eyelash vipers are experts at staying camouflaged. The snakes with greenish scales and colored splotches often blend right in with the bark of the trees in which they live. This helps keep them hidden from birds of prey, which would otherwise be able to spot them from the air.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The Eyelash Viper is one of three members (at the time) of the genus Bothrops featured in the series, the other two being Jumping Viper and Fer-De-Lance.
- The species has since been moved to Bothriechis schlegelii.
- Eyelash viper shares the subheading "Tree Hugger" with the Dinofelis, Emerald Tree Boa, and Arboreal Tarantula.
- Eyelash Vipers are one of the few predators fast enough to catch a hummingbird.
- Eyelash Vipers come in 3 different colors: yellow, green, and red. They even come in brown and pink.