Side-striped palm pit viper (Bothriechis lateralis)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Side-striped palm pit viper (Bothriechis lateralis) (origin: Costa Rica, Panama – montane cloud forest). Adult size around 60–90 cm. Life expectancy 12–16 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Side-striped palm pit viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 80×60×115 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, palm pit vipers, arboreal).
Side-striped palm pit viper: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–27 °C, basking spot 28–29 °C, at night 18–21 °C.
Side-striped palm pit viper: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Weak UVB recommended.
Side-striped palm pit viper: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–16 years.
Side-striped palm pit viper: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–27 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–21 °C
- Basking spot
- 28–29 °C
- Humidity
- 75–90 %
- UVB
- Weak UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 80×60×115 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, palm pit vipers, arboreal)
- Substrate
- Coco humus or sphagnum, climbing branches, dense planting
Feeding
- Food
- Small frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–90 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–16 years
- Origin
- Costa Rica, Panama – montane cloud forest
- 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 cloud-forest species – cooler than B. schlegelii, and it tolerates heat above 28 °C poorly. The young are brown, adults brilliant green.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) – Expert
- Black-speckled palm pit viper (Bothriechis nigroviridis) – 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
What you need to start
To keep Side-striped palm pit viper (Bothriechis lateralis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×60×115 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, palm pit vipers, arboreal)), substrate (Coco humus or sphagnum, climbing 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.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 8 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Reptile Database: Bothriechis lateralis - ovoviviparous – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Bothriechis&species=lateralis, Wikipedia Gattung Bothriechis - Palmenottern – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothriechis, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothriechis, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothriechis_lateralis, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Bothriechis&species=lateralis
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).