The eyelash viper is a native of Central and Southern America. They have a triangular head with an enlarged supraciliary. It looks almost like eyelashes. The eyelash viper, a small snake species, is yellow-gold, red-, or brown in color.
If you are well-trained, they can be easy to care for. Keepers will need to follow a feeding schedule for these snakes.
Eyelash Viper Overview
| Category | Rating |
| Common names: | Horned palm viper eyelash viper, Schlegel’s viper, Horned mountain viper, Schlegel’s viper, Eyelash palm-pit viper |
| Scientific Name: | Bothriechis schlegelii |
| Natural Habitat | Sea-level forests with densely vegetated vegetation |
| Adult Size: | 22-36 Inches |
| Average Lifespan | Maximum 10 Years |
| Diet: | Carnivore |
| Housing: | Shade, branches, and leaves |
| Niveau of experience: | For Beginners |
Origin
Bothriechis schlegelii, the eyelash viper, is a native of Central and South America. This snake lives in densely wooded sea-level forests. They are resistant to vine tangles and shrubbery.
They aren’t endangered and can be easily spotted in their natural habitat. Urbanization and deforestation are threatening the habitat of eyelash vipers.
Appearance & Behavior
There are many colors available for eyelash vipers. They come in a variety of colors, including yellow, brown, red or gold with a mottled underneath. They often have small black spots on their base colors. Their heads are triangular and their supraciliary is long.
The eyelash vipers of male and female eyes are similar. Males are bigger than females. The biggest difference between males & females is their size.
Lifespan
Female eyelash vipers can grow to up to 36 inches in length. Males can grow up to 34 inches in length and are almost always shorter and slimmer than the females.
These snakes can live up to 10 years in nature and up to 16 years when kept in captivity. Captive snakes receive immediate medical attention when they become sick and are kept in safe environments that don’t pose any threat to their health.
Temperament
If they feel threatened, eyelash vipers may strike. However, this species is usually peaceful and alone. They flicker their tongues constantly. This isn’t dangerous and allows snakes the opportunity to taste chemicals in air.
Because adult eyelash vipers are not known to be aggressive or cannibalistic, they can share an enclosure. To avoid stress, snakes that share an enclosure should have plenty of space. Even though eyelash vipers and snakes can live together happily, it is best to keep them in separate enclosures.
Eyelash vipers can be handled by humans. They will bite if they feel threatened. Only experienced snake keepers should handle these snakes.
See more: Top 20 most venomous snakes: Deadliest Snakes Ranked By Venom
Housing Eyelash Vipers
They prefer densely wooded areas and streamside vegetation. They can also be found in lowland forests, as well as areas that are moist and rich in vegetation. The vivarium of an eyelash viper should be as close as possible to its natural habitat.
Vivariums make great enclosures for eyelash vipers. While DIY vivariums can be useful, it is better to buy a professionally designed vivarium at a reputable pet shop for safety and health reasons.
Enclosure Size
They require plenty of space for their movements. These snakes are small and thin, so they should be kept in vivariums that are at least 16 inches across and 24 inches high.
Keepers of snakes should give their snakes enough space and hiding places to climb inside the enclosure. Eyelash vipers are happy in 75-gallon lizard rooms. Large enclosures can be costly and difficult to decorate.
Lighting
In the wild, they are found in densely vegetated areas. It is important to ensure that the enclosure lighting is correct as their natural habitat does not receive much direct sunlight.
Although these snakes are nocturnal they do not hide during daylight hours, like other snake species. Maintaining one natural day to night light cycle is very important to maintain your eyelash viper’s circadian rhythm.
Keep UVB lamps out of the enclosure. UVB is not necessary and will not be of any benefit to the eyelash viper.
Snake keepers believe that one UVB lamp placed in a snake enclosure can increase the snake’s activity and coloration. This is not recommended and it could cause serious harm to the snake.
Humidity and Temperature
Keep the temperature of the enclosure between 79 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature in the designated basking area must be constant at 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
The ceramic heat emitters can be a great tool to maintain the enclosure temperature. Ceramic heat emitters should be kept out of designated hiding places and shaded areas.
The eyelash vipers are adaptable to their environment and can withstand varying levels of humidity. They can withstand humidity levels of 60 to 70%. To maintain constant humidity levels, you should spray the enclosure twice daily with water.
Snakes shed their skin up to 4 times one year. Due to their rapid growth, juvenile eyelash vipers may shed more than three times per year. If they have skin conditions, they may shed more often. When snakes shed their skin, it is important to maintain high humidity.
Substrate and Decoration
For eyelash viper enclosures, cypress mulch is a good substrate. Cypress mulch retains moisture and does not produce mold or fungus. The enclosure should be lined with a moisture-holding substrate to maintain a high humidity level.
Use delicate foliage and small branches to decorate the enclosure. They are tiny and prefer to wrap their bodies around thin, flexible branches.
Shaded areas should be decorated with large leaves. Pothos is a snake-safe plant that can be used in enclosures for eyelash viper. Make sure that all branches and leaves are secured and stable within the enclosure.
Cleaning
Warm water and dish soap are the best ways to clean an eyelash viper enclosure. Every month, you should clean accessories and decorations with 10% bleach. Use hot water to wash off any bleach.
These are the steps to clean an eyelash viper aquarium.
- Place the snake in a temporary container
- Turn off all lights and take them out of the vivarium.
- Take the decorations out and wash them with 10% bleach. Before putting the decorations back on the enclosure, rinse off the bleach with hot water.
- The old substrate should be removed and thrown away.
- Use warm soapy water to wash the vivarium and allow it to dry.
- Place decorations and plants back in the vivarium by adding new substrate.
Eyelash Viper Treatment
Easy to care for, eyelash vipers can be taken on trips. These snakes can be kept by beginners. They can be difficult to feed so it is important to take extra care during meals. These snakes are easy to care for, even for those who have had previous experience with snake care. For beginners looking for a challenge, eyelash vipers can also be used.
Food & Water
Eyelash vipers are able to eat mice when kept in captivity. They should be fed twice weekly. Overfeeding these snakes can cause them to become obese. Adult snakes should be fed less to juvenile eyelash vipers than the adult. To help juveniles maintain a healthy weight, feed them once a week.
An elevated water bowl is a great option for your eyelash viper. The bowl should be placed under trees and in the middle of the tank. Make sure the bowl is full, and water the enclosure daily.
Nocturnal hunters, they are also known as the Eyelash Vipers. These snakes are nocturnal hunters and will wait until their prey passes before striking. Live food is essential to ensure that snakes kept in captivity exhibit these behaviors.
Handling
Although they are gentle snakes, eyelash vipers can be a nuisance to handle. They should be handled with extreme care and a hook. They bite when threatened.
An eyelash viper should only be handled by an experienced snake keeper. Inexperienced snake handlers will hold the snake incorrectly and cause extreme stress. This can make the viper more inclined to bite.
Common Health Issues
Common diseases that can affect snakes in captivity include eyelash vipers and other common illnesses. Infections and diseases can be fatal if you don’t recognize them early. These are the top problems you should be looking out for and how to deal with them.
- Poor nutrition, inadequate enclosure conditions, overcrowding and injury to the mouth can all lead to mouth rot. Mouth rot can be treated with antibiotics and antiseptic oral cleaners within one week.
- Common eyelash viper snake problems include parasites both internal and external — ticks, worms and mites. Internal infections are indicated by swelling in the middle of your body. It is easy to spot mites and ticks. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to anemia or other health problems. Parasite conditions can be treated with medication.
- Skin infection is characterized by skin blisters, inflammation and unevenness. To treat a skin problem, improve ventilation in the vivarium.
- Respiratory infections — Snakes suffering from respiratory problems lose their appetites, suffer from nasal and oral discharge and become lethargic. Essential oils can be used to treat respiratory infections.
Breeding
You can breed eyelash vipers from late winter through early spring. These snakes can be kept in captivity and are easy to breed if the conditions are right.
Males dance around each other in a “dance among the adders.” Two males will take an upright position and push one another until one falls to the ground. The right to mate is awarded to the one who remains standing.
Pregnant females display large, swollen abdomens. The live births of the snakes can last up to six months. The eyelash pit vipers are able to wait until they are completely alone before giving birth.
Place two eyelash vipers in one cage and wait until they mate. You should ensure that the vivarium is clean and the snakes are allowed to mate. They may breed only once or twice a year.
How to Choose and Buy an Eyelash Viper
The average price for an eyelash viper snake is between $100 and $250. These snakes have to be purchased from reputable breeders. These snakes are not readily available in pet shots and will be difficult to find online.
While keeping an eyelash viper for a pet is legal in most countries, it is illegal to catch a wild one. This snake could be resold and you could face legal consequences.
Before you make a purchase, do your research to find the best eyelash viper. If the snake is lethargic, has skin blisters or has saliva or foam out of its mouth, don’t buy it. These are signs that the snake may be sick. Before you bring a snake into your home, make sure to check for signs of a healthy snake.
