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Lachesis m. muta
These large vipers are one of the longest venomous snakes in the world. They are commonly found in the 6-8 foot range. The largest I have caught was just short of 8". The one pictured was 228 cm. Their body is yellow brown with black markings that are broad at the spine and come down to a point near the ventral scales. Some have much more black in these wedges than others. The skin is rough as the scales are heavily keeled to where it is really rough to run your hand over them.
This snake was found along a jungle trail in secondary forest in the Amazon Rainforest of SE Ecuador (700 masl).
These are normally found deep in the Amazon rainforest, but occasionally get too near a village. They are normally encountered by those hunting far from their village. It is the only viper in the western hemisphere that lays eggs. I have personally only caught 3 of these but have handled many more. The first I caught was an 8-footer. Amazing animals. I have not found them aggressive unless startled. Nowhere near the temperament of the lanceheads of Ecuador. There are not as many "reported" cases of death from bushmasters as from the common lancehead, but part of the reason for that is that most victims don't survive long enough to get out to where it can be reported or treated.
Spotted on Sep 26, 2006
Submitted on Feb 3, 2019
3 Comments
The Bushmaster has a mistakenly bad reputation. I have caught three of them, each over 2 meters long, simply by reaching out and taking them by the tail, then supporting the body with a snake hook. I have yet to have one come back on me. Whereas the Bothrops snakes, if you so much as touch their tail, they've got you. However, if the Bushmaster does bite you, you are in trouble. Normally far away from civilization and normally a huge quantity of venom. Bite records are way off as most victims never make it to a health treatment center where it is noted.
Also, this snake has the longest fangs, they can reach almost 2 inches, and are sharp as needles. So, they can penetrate even thick leather boots. Although Brazil's Instituto Butantan produces an lachesis anti-venom serum, it is not easily found (most of their anti-venom serum is for Bothrops snakes, much more common around here). So yes, although only 1.5% of accidents with snakes in Brazil are caused by surucucus (their local name), their mortality rate is almost 100%.
Beautiful snake. Cool spotting, Tukup.