Bothriechis schlegelii | |
---|---|
Bothriechis schlegelii | |
Two resting individuals, showing contrasting color variations. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Genus: | Bothriechis |
Species: | B. schlegelii
|
Binomial name | |
Bothriechis schlegelii (Berthold, 1846)
| |
Synonyms | |
|
Bothriechis schlegelii, known commonly as the eyelash viper or the eyelash pit viper, is a species of pit viper in the family Viperidae, native to Latin America. Somewhat small, arboreal snakes, B. schlegelii is perhaps best known for the namesake superciliary ("eyelash") scales above its eyes, and for having distinctly keeled or "raised" scales covering the bulk of its body. The species is also known for producing a veritable rainbow of color forms (morphs). It is the most common of the green palm-pitvipers (genus Bothriechis),[2] and is often present in zoological exhibits, owing to its general hardiness. The specific name schlegelii honors Hermann Schlegel, who was a German ornithologist and herpetologist.[3]
For other common names, see below. No subspecies are currently recognized as being valid.[4]
Lewis1998
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).