Bothriechis schlegelii

Bothriechis schlegelii
Specimens from Colombia
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bothriechis
Species:
B. schlegelii
Binomial name
Bothriechis schlegelii
(Berthold, 1846)
Synonyms
List
  • Trigonocephalus Schlegelii
    Berthold, 1846
  • [Trigonocephalus] Schlegelii
    — Berthold, 1846
  • T[eleuraspis]. Schlegeli
    Cope, 1860
  • B[othrops]. Schlegeli
    Jan, 1863
  • Teleuraspis schlegelii
    — Cope, 1871
  • Bothrops Schlegelii
    — Jan & Sordelli, 1875
  • Th[anatos]. Schlegelii
    Posada Arango, 1889
  • Th[anatophis]. Schlegelii
    — Posada Arango, 1889
  • Bothriechis schlegeli
    — Günther, 1895
  • Lachesis schlegelii
    Boulenger, 1896
  • Thanatophis colgadora
    Garcia, 1896
  • Lachesis schlegeli
    Boettger, 1898
  • Trimeresurus schlegelii
    Mocquard, 1909
  • Bothriechis schlegelii
    — Cuesta Terron, 1930
  • Bothrops schlegelii supraciliaris
    Taylor, 1954
  • [Bothrops schlegelii
    schlegelii
    ]
    — Taylor, 1954
  • Bothrops schlegeli supraciliaris
    Duellman & Berg, 1962
  • [Bothrops supraciliaris]
    Stuart, 1963
  • Bothrops schlegeli
    Hoge, 1966
  • Trigonocephalus schlegelii
    — Hoge, 1966
  • Bothriechis schlegelii
    Campbell & Lamar, 1989

Bothriechis schlegelii, known commonly as the highland eyelash-pitviper, Schlegel's eyelash-pitviper, or eyelash viper, is a species of pit viper in the family Viperidae, native to Colombia.

Somewhat small, arboreal snakes, B. schlegelii is perhaps best known for the namesake superciliary ("eyelash") scales above its eyes, and for having distinctly keeled or "raised" scales covering the bulk of its body. The species is also known for producing a veritable rainbow of color forms (morphs). It is the most common of the green palm-pitvipers (genus Bothriechis), and is often present in zoological exhibits, owing to its general hardiness. The specific name schlegelii honors Hermann Schlegel, who was a German ornithologist and herpetologist.

For other common names, see below. No subspecies are currently recognized as being valid.