The eyelash viper, scientifically known as Bothriechis schlegelii, is an arboreal snake recognized for the distinctive bristly scales above its eyes, which resemble eyelashes. This species inhabits the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, where its diet and hunting behaviors are closely adapted to its tree-dwelling environment. Its unique appearance and specialized adaptations allow it to thrive as an ambush predator in its lush habitat.
Main Dietary Staples
Eyelash vipers are carnivorous, primarily feeding on small vertebrates found in their rainforest homes. Their diet commonly includes small rodents, such as mice and mouse opossums, along with small birds. They also frequently prey on lizards, including anoles, and various types of frogs.
The opportunistic nature of their diet means they will consume almost any animal small enough to be subdued. This adaptability allows them to take advantage of the diverse array of prey present in their tropical environment. They have been observed preying on bats and even hummingbirds, demonstrating their ability to catch agile, flying prey.
Specialized Hunting Strategies
Eyelash vipers employ an ambush predation technique, waiting for prey to come within striking distance. Their remarkable camouflage, with varied colorations including green, yellow, red, and brown, allows them to blend seamlessly with foliage, flowers, or tree bark. The “eyelashes” further aid in breaking up the snake’s outline, making it even harder for prey to detect.
They spend most of their time in trees, shrubs, and vines, often coiling around branches. This elevated position provides an advantageous vantage point for ambushing prey moving through the canopy or along branches. They possess a prehensile tail, which is used for grasping branches and maintaining stability during strikes, even allowing them to hang suspended while consuming prey. Eyelash vipers also have heat-sensing pit organs located between their eyes and nostrils, which detect the body heat of warm-blooded prey, especially useful for their nocturnal hunting. After striking and injecting their fast-acting venom, which can have neurotoxic and hemotoxic properties, they wait for the prey to succumb before consuming it.
Factors Influencing Diet Variation
The diet of an eyelash viper varies based on several factors: the snake’s age, geographic location, and seasonal availability of prey. Younger vipers often eat insects or smaller amphibians and lizards. As they grow, their diet shifts to include larger prey items like small mammals and birds.
Geographic location influences prey types, which differ across their wide range from southern Mexico to northern South America. For example, a viper in one region might encounter different species of rodents or birds than one in another. Seasonal changes also influence prey availability, such as migratory birds or amphibian breeding seasons. Some eyelash vipers may even return to specific ambush sites annually to coincide with bird migrations.