Classification:
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Reptilia
Order - Squamata, suborder - Ophidia
Family - Crotalidae

Circadian Cycle:
Nocturnal

Diet:
Carnivore, eating mostly small mammals, lizards, frogs and birds.

Range:
Neotropical: Southern Mexico, South and Central America to Columbia, Equador and Western Venezuela.

Habitat
Wet forests with low elevation. Shrubs, brushes, vine tangles, trees and palms usually close to a water source.

Physical Characteristics
The eyelash viper is 18-30 inches in length. The coloration can be reddish-yellow, yellow, grayish-brown or green. The yellow color can be spotted with white, black or red; the darker colors can be spotted with black or red. Their distinguishing feature is the supraciliarie, or enlarged scale, above each eye, giving the appearance of eyelashes.

Life History
Their life expectancy can exceed 16 years in captivity. The female has multiple live births -- usually 12 or more babies are born.

Special Adaptations
This viper is arboreal and has a prehensile tail. While catching and eating food, this snake can hold onto a branch with its tail and can hang completely suspended in midair while eating his entire meal. The coloration of this viper helps to camouflage it while it hides in the midst of flowers. It hides here to strike at the birds it likes to eat. The "eyelashes" on this viper also help to camouflage it. It is harder to distinguish its head from the surrounding foliage.

These snakes can go for up to year without eating.

Article contributed by Lori Hamlett