This is another view of the eyelash pit viper we encountered in the tropical jungle. We stayed a safe distance, so I did not try to get a closer photo of his head.Eyelash pit vipers sound especially scary because they are found in exotic tropical jungles. Actually, pit vipers are the type of snakes to which most of the poisonous snakes of the Western Hemisphere belong. They are found from Canada to Argentina. Rattlesnakes, copperheads and water moccasins of the USA and Canada are types of pit vipers.
They get their name of pit vipers because they have a pit that is sensitive to heat between their eyes and nostrils. While most snakes lay eggs, pit vipers give birth to up to 20 live snakes, about .3 meters (1 foot) long, complete with fangs and venom.
Amazing! It's quite beautiful if you simply look at it without the baggage of its reputation attached.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very pretty snake. I enlarged the photo and you can see the colors even better. It is too bad it is so poisonous, but if it was not poisonous it might be hunted for its colorful and decorative skin.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a close encounter! Fantastic! This is something I haven't seen there.
ReplyDeleteHis coloring certainly lets him hid amongst the leaves and branches. Another scary thought.
ReplyDeleteIt has a beautiful skin.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest it was good you saw him first. Very beautiful color patterns
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