Eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii)

Short answers

Eyelash viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×60×100 cm (height).

Eyelash viper: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 29–30 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Eyelash viper: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Weak UVB recommended.

Eyelash viper: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 12–16 years.

Eyelash viper: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

29–30 °C

Humidity

75–90 %

UVB

Weak UVB recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×60×100 cm (height)

Substrate

Coco humus, plenty of horizontal branches, dense planting

Feeding

Food

Small frozen-thawed mice; frog or lizard substitutes for juveniles if needed

Feeding interval

adults every 10–14 days

Key facts

Adult size

55–80 cm

Life expectancy

12–16 years

Origin

Central America, north-western South America – rainforest

Protection status

VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal under German state law

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

A small, arboreal lancehead with striking scales above the eyes; in many colour forms (golden yellow among others). It sits quietly, but strikes at lightning speed – height rather than floor area.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Black-speckled palm pit viper (Bothriechis nigroviridis) – Expert
• Side-striped palm pit viper (Bothriechis lateralis) – Expert
• Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
• Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
• Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
• Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) – Expert
• Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
• Ottoman viper (Montivipera xanthina) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×60×100 cm (height)), substrate (Coco humus, plenty of horizontal branches, dense planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.