Brazil's Lancehead

Description:

This is one of the larger members of the “Lancehead” family of vipers, all of which are very aggressive, often striking over half the length of their bodies. It is a heavy-bodied terrestrial snake, rightly feared by jungle folks. They often measure 1 meter in length, this one measuring 158 cm. It has irregular markings of black, tan and rust colors over the length of the body. It also has copper colored eyes, setting if off from all other vipers of the area except the bushmaster, which also has copper colored eyes. The black triangular markings on the B. brazili are wider at the bottom and point upwards toward the backbone while the black triangles on the Lachesis muta muta (Bushmaster) are wider at the top and point toward the venter, which allows for identification from a distance.

Habitat:

This one was found sitting on a trail near a village in the Amazon rainforest of Southeast Ecuador (700 masl).

Notes:

This is one of most impressive venomous snakes of our area and I thought it appropriate for the “World Snake Day” of 2020. They are really quite beautiful. Once I "surrounded" him (fotos 3 & 4), he quickly curled into the well-known striking pose.