🐍 Eyelash Viper (*Bothriechis schlegelii*)
🔤 Name English / nombre español / Name Deutsch
Eyelash Viper / Bocaráca / Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter
🌿 Habitat & Ecology
Local distribution & habitat
On Costa Rica’s Caribbean slope, eyelash pitvipers inhabit humid lowland and foothill rainforests. They are chiefly arboreal, using a prehensile tail to perch in shrubs, vine tangles, bromeliads and low tree branches—often along riparian forest and shaded edges. Besides primary forest they also occur in moist secondary growth and in shaded plantations (e.g., banana/cacao) adjacent to forest. Activity peaks from dusk through night; by day they usually rest coiled in foliage. Occurs from near sea level into montane/cloud forest
Diet & ecological role
Primarily a sit-and-wait ambush predator on low vegetation. Diet includes frogs (especially treefrogs), small lizards, small birds (incl. hummingbirds/nestlings), and small mammals such as rodents and bats. Juveniles take proportionally more amphibians and small lizards; adults broaden to birds and mammals. As a mid-level arboreal predator in wet Neotropical forest, it helps regulate small vertebrate populations and transfers energy from amphibians/rodents to higher trophic levels; it is itself prey for raptors and larger snakes.
Behavior
Arboreal and mostly crepuscular–nocturnal; typically solitary. By day it often rests coiled and motionless in foliage (roughly 0.5–3 m above ground). At dusk/night it moves to low branches, shrubs, and vine tangles along forest edges and riparian corridors. A classic sit-and-wait ambush hunter, relying on camouflage and minimal movement; may hold a successful perch for days before shifting. Uses its prehensile tail for stability while climbing/striking. Generally not actively aggressive but will defend at close approach—avoid handling or provoking
⚠️ Risk & safety
Risk Level
Highly venomous / potentially lethal
Risk Level Notes
Potent hemotoxic pit viper. Expect rapid local pain/swelling; risk of coagulopathy/bleeding. Treat as a medical emergency: keep victim calm, immobilize the limb (neutral position), remove rings/watches, and transport to hospital. No tourniquet, no cutting/suction, no ice/electric shocks. Do not drink alcohol or take NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen); use acetaminophen for pain if needed. Monitor for systemic signs (bleeding, dizziness, vomiting). Antivenom indicated if systemic signs or lab coagulopathy
📍📈 Local frequency
rare
📖✨ Stories
One of the most remarkable encounters with the Eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) took place in the old pigsty – a structure left behind by the former owner. The name has remained, even though the project itself is fully vegan and does not keep or exploit animals. Today, the old pigsty is only used as a storage space for wood, stones and similar materials.
On that day, Stefan, one of the co-founders of the projects, was showing volunteer Emma from the UK how to sort wooden beams and boards in this area. He had warned her to be cautious, since the piles offered perfect hiding places for snakes.
While explaining, and without wearing his glasses, Stefan noticed out of the corner of his eye what looked like a thick rope lying on the rim of a blue barrel. Instinctively, he reached for it – and in the very moment he had it in his hand, he realized it was no rope at all, but a living snake. Within a split second he threw it straight into the barrel.
When the camera was brought to document the encounter, the viper had already wriggled back onto the edge of the barrel. A few quick photos were taken before the team carefully relocated the animal into the nearby forest using a plastic tube.
The snake seemed unusually slow and sleepy that day – a stroke of luck that made this close encounter end without incident. The story remains one of the most vivid reminders of why vigilance is essential when working in the field.
🎬 Related Media
Will be added if we are lucky enough to film an encounter.
📷 Photos
