Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) Care Sheet
The Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) is a small to medium-sized arboreal pit viper native to Central and northern South America. It is one of the most visually distinctive Neotropical vipers, occurring in a remarkable range of colours including green, yellow, orange, red, brown and combinations of these.
The common name refers to the enlarged scales above the eyes that create the characteristic “eyelash” appearance.
Eyelash Vipers are primarily arboreal ambush predators. They spend much of their time resting on branches and vegetation, often in a tightly coiled position, waiting for suitable prey to pass within range.
Despite their relatively modest size, they are dangerously venomous snakes capable of causing severe envenomation.
They are suitable only for appropriately experienced specialist venomous-reptile keepers with secure accommodation, emergency procedures and all legally required permissions.
This care sheet provides comprehensive husbandry guidance. It is not a venomous-snake handling or restraint manual.
Captive-bred animals of documented provenance should be strongly preferred.
Quick Facts
Scientific name: Bothriechis schlegelii
Common name: Eyelash Viper
Family: Viperidae
Native range: Central America and northern South America
Natural habitat: Tropical and subtropical forest, humid woodland, forest edge and vegetation associated with streams and wet areas
Lifestyle: Arboreal
Activity: Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, although daytime activity and basking may occur
Adult male size: Commonly approximately 18–24 in (45–60 cm)
Adult female size: Commonly approximately 24–32 in (60–80 cm), occasionally larger
Build: Slender but robust for an arboreal viper
Lifespan: Approximately 12–20+ years may be achievable with excellent husbandry
Experience level: Specialist venomous keepers only
Venomous: Yes — medically significant envenomation possible
Adult enclosure: Approximately 3 × 2 × 3 ft (90 × 60 × 90 cm) or larger for one adult, with particular emphasis on usable height and branch structure
Warm area: Approximately 26–28°C (79–82°F)
General daytime temperature: Approximately 23–26°C (73–79°F)
Cool retreat: Approximately 21–23°C (70–73°F)
Night: Approximately 20–23°C (68–73°F)
Humidity: Approximately 70–85%, with good ventilation and regular drying of exposed surfaces
Water: Fresh water continuously available; droplets on foliage and branches may also encourage drinking
Lighting: Approximately 11–12 hours daytime illumination
UVB: Low-level UVB may be offered as part of comprehensive modern husbandry
Target UVI: Approximately 0.5–1.0 in an accessible illuminated area, with extensive shade
Diet: Appropriately sized whole vertebrate prey
Social housing: Individual housing recommended
Reproduction: Viviparous — live-bearing
Quarantine: Approximately 90 days minimum is a sensible starting point
Important Venomous Species Warning
The Eyelash Viper is a dangerously venomous snake.
A suspected bite requires immediate medical assessment.
Its smaller body size does not make it a beginner venomous species.
Before acquisition, a prospective keeper should already have:
- Appropriate specialist venomous-reptile experience
- Secure purpose-built accommodation
- Secondary containment
- Effective escape prevention
- Written emergency procedures
- Appropriate veterinary arrangements
- Knowledge of appropriate emergency medical facilities
- A plan for accidental escape
- A plan should the primary keeper become incapacitated
- Appropriate legal permissions where required
- A responsible backup person who knows what species are present and how to summon suitable assistance
The animal should never be acquired before these arrangements are in place.
Species Overview
Eyelash Vipers inhabit warm, humid forest environments from southern Mexico through Central America and into northern South America.
They are commonly associated with:
- Lowland tropical forest
- Premontane forest
- Humid woodland
- Forest margins
- Secondary growth
- Vegetation around streams
- Dense shrub layers
- Coffee and other plantation habitats in some regions
They spend substantial periods above ground.
Typical resting locations include:
- Branch forks
- Leaves
- Vines
- Dense vegetation
- Low shrubs
- Small trees
A successful captive enclosure must therefore provide:
HEIGHT + SECURE PERCHES + HUMIDITY + VENTILATION + VISUAL COVER.
Adult Size & Lifespan
Eyelash Vipers show noticeable sexual size dimorphism.
Males are generally smaller and more slender.
Males
Commonly approximately:
18–24 in (45–60 cm)
Females
Commonly approximately:
24–32 in (60–80 cm)
with some individuals becoming somewhat larger.
Females are typically:
- Longer
- More robust
- Heavier-bodied
Despite their moderate length, they require more space than a purely terrestrial snake of similar size because the enclosure must provide meaningful vertical structure.
With excellent husbandry, a lifespan of approximately:
12–20+ years
may be possible.
Enclosure
For one adult Eyelash Viper, approximately:
3 × 2 × 3 ft
(approximately 90 × 60 × 90 cm)
should be considered a practical starting point.
Larger females benefit from:
3 × 2 × 4 ft
or larger where safe enclosure design permits.
Height is particularly valuable because the species is genuinely arboreal.
The enclosure should allow the snake to:
- Move vertically
- Move horizontally between branches
- Select different perch diameters
- Thermoregulate
- Retreat into visual cover
- Access different humidity zones
- Rest without remaining constantly exposed
Why Height Matters
An Eyelash Viper should not be maintained in a low terrestrial enclosure merely because it is a relatively short snake.
Its natural behaviour includes prolonged arboreal resting and ambush hunting.
A suitable enclosure should provide several levels:
LOW → MID-LEVEL → ELEVATED
with usable branches throughout.
Security
The enclosure must be:
- Robust
- Escape-resistant
- Lockable
- Resistant to accidental opening
- Appropriately identified
- Located within a secure dedicated room or facility
Pay particular attention to:
- Ventilation openings
- Door gaps
- Cable ports
- Sliding-door tracks
- Hinges
- Locks
- Service ports
Juveniles are particularly capable of exploiting small gaps.
Secondary Containment
The primary enclosure should exist within:
A SECURE SECONDARY ROOM OR FACILITY.
The surrounding room should:
- Prevent unauthorised access
- Reduce potential escape routes
- Allow controlled visual assessment
- Form part of the emergency containment system
The safety system should rely on multiple barriers.
Routine Husbandry Design
The enclosure should minimise the need for close interaction during routine maintenance.
Routine tasks include:
- Water servicing
- Spot cleaning
- Equipment checks
- Visual inspection
Secure retreat zones or divided enclosure sections can significantly improve safety.
The objective is:
MINIMAL DIRECT EXPOSURE DURING ROUTINE CARE.
Juvenile Enclosures
Juvenile Eyelash Vipers require smaller accommodation scaled to their size, but security standards remain identical.
Young animals are venomous from birth.
Provide:
- Secure branch network
- Multiple resting sites
- Appropriate thermal gradient
- Suitable humidity
- Excellent ventilation
- Fresh water
- Absolute escape prevention
Tiny gaps can be significant with neonatal arboreal vipers.
Temperature & Heating
Eyelash Vipers are tropical forest snakes and should not be maintained excessively hot.
Warm Area
Approximately:
26–28°C (79–82°F)
General Daytime Temperature
Approximately:
23–26°C (73–79°F)
Cool Retreat
Approximately:
21–23°C (70–73°F)
Night
Approximately:
20–23°C (68–73°F)
A slight night-time reduction is appropriate.
Avoid Overheating
One of the most important husbandry points for Eyelash Vipers is avoiding excessive heat.
They are forest snakes, not open desert vipers.
Constant temperatures above approximately:
29–30°C
throughout the enclosure can be problematic.
Always provide a cooler retreat.
Vertical Temperature Gradient
In a tall enclosure, temperature naturally changes with height.
Upper branches may become warmer than lower areas.
Measure temperatures at:
- Upper resting branches
- Mid-level branches
- Floor level
- Cool retreat
Do not rely on a single thermometer.
Heating Equipment
Suitable heating methods may include:
- Secure overhead radiant heat
- Low-output radiant heat panels
- Controlled room heating
- Appropriately protected ceramic heating
All heat sources should be:
- Thermostatically controlled
- Securely mounted
- Protected from animal contact
- Appropriate for a humid enclosure
Avoid:
- Hot rocks
- Exposed heating elements
- Uncontrolled heaters
Temperature Monitoring
Use reliable digital thermometers.
An infrared thermometer is also useful for checking branch and perch temperatures.
Remember:
THERMOSTAT SETTING ≠ ACTUAL ENCLOSURE TEMPERATURE.
Humidity
Maintain approximately:
70–85% relative humidity
with natural fluctuations.
Temporary peaks above this range can occur after misting.
The enclosure should not remain wet continuously.
The goal is:
HIGH HUMIDITY + GOOD AIRFLOW + PERIODIC SURFACE DRYING.
Humidity Cycles
Humidity does not need to remain identical throughout the day.
A useful cycle may involve:
- Higher humidity after misting
- Gradual reduction as surfaces dry
- Another increase later in the day or evening
This more closely resembles natural tropical conditions.
Ventilation
Ventilation is critical.
High humidity with poor air exchange can contribute to:
- Respiratory disease
- Skin problems
- Bacterial growth
- Mould
Aim for:
HUMID + FRESH AIR
rather than:
SEALED + WET + STAGNANT.
Misting
Light misting can be used to:
- Raise humidity
- Provide drinking droplets
- Simulate natural rainfall
However, the entire enclosure should not remain constantly saturated.
Branches and leaves should be able to dry between misting events.
Water & Hydration
Fresh clean drinking water should remain continuously available.
Use a stable water bowl positioned so it can be serviced safely.
Eyelash Vipers may also drink droplets from:
- Leaves
- Branches
- Enclosure surfaces
after misting.
This does not remove the need for a permanent water source.
Substrate
Suitable substrate options can include:
- Soil-based tropical mixes
- Coco-based substrate
- Cypress-type mulch
- Orchid bark
- Leaf litter
- Appropriate mixtures of these materials
The substrate should:
- Buffer humidity
- Drain effectively
- Remain relatively low-dust
- Avoid becoming waterlogged
- Be easy to spot-clean
Drainage
Because the enclosure is humid and may be misted regularly, good drainage is important.
Excess water should not accumulate beneath substrate indefinitely.
A drainage layer can be useful in naturalistic setups.
Furnishings
Branch structure is one of the most important parts of the enclosure.
Provide:
- Multiple horizontal branches
- Diagonal branches
- Forked branches
- Dense foliage
- Cork
- Vines
- Visual barriers
- Secure hides
Branches should be available at different:
- Heights
- Diameters
- Temperatures
- Levels of cover
Branch Diameter
Do not provide only extremely thin twigs.
Branches should include diameters large enough to allow the snake to:
- Rest comfortably
- Maintain a stable coil
- Support its full body
A mixture of branch sizes is preferable.
Branch Stability
Every branch should be:
- Securely fixed
- Stable under the snake’s weight
- Unable to rotate unexpectedly
- Positioned to avoid trapping points
Arboreal vipers spend long periods stationary, so stable resting positions are essential.
Visual Cover
Provide substantial foliage around several perches.
The snake should be able to choose:
- Exposed resting sites
- Partially concealed sites
- Dense cover
A completely bare branch system is inappropriate.
Lighting
Provide a clear day/night cycle.
Approximately:
11–12 hours daytime lighting
is appropriate.
Bright visible light can help support:
- Circadian rhythm
- Natural day/night cues
- Plant growth
- Clear distinction between exposed and shaded areas
The enclosure should become properly dark at night.
Avoid visible red, blue or purple night lamps.
UVB
Eyelash Vipers are not high-intensity basking reptiles.
They commonly occupy:
- Dense vegetation
- Partial shade
- Forest understory
- Lower branches
Low-level UVB may nevertheless be provided as part of comprehensive modern husbandry.
The important principle is:
LOW-LEVEL UVB + SHADE + COMPLETE UV RETREAT.
Target UVI
Aim approximately for:
UVI 0.5–1.0
at an accessible illuminated perch.
Elsewhere provide:
- Lower UV
- Shade
- Complete UV retreat
Practical UVB Equipment Guidance
A:
LOW-OUTPUT LINEAR UVB SYSTEM
can be appropriate.
The exact lamp depends upon:
- Lamp model
- Reflector
- Mesh
- Distance
- Enclosure height
- Perch height
The practical target is:
UVI 0.5–1.0 AT THE SNAKE’S ACCESSIBLE PERCH HEIGHT.
UVB Distance
Remember:
CLOSER = GENERALLY MORE UV
FARTHER AWAY = GENERALLY LESS UV
MESH = USUALLY LESS UV
In an arboreal enclosure, perch position is critical.
A branch placed close to the lamp may receive substantially more UV than the enclosure floor.
UV Gradient
A useful arrangement is:
ILLUMINATED PERCH: approximately UVI 0.5–1.0
↓
LOWER-UV PERCHES: below approximately UVI 0.5
↓
DENSE SHADE: approaching UVI 0
The snake must always be able to avoid UV exposure.
UV Meter
A UV Index meter is the most reliable way to verify exposure.
Measure at:
THE ACTUAL BRANCH HEIGHTS THE SNAKE CAN USE.
Do not measure only at floor level.
If You Do Not Have a UV Meter
Use:
- A reputable linear UVB product
- Manufacturer’s current distance guidance
- Correct reflector
- Mesh guidance
- Extensive shaded areas
Avoid unnecessarily powerful UVB equipment.
Heat, UVB & Visible Light
These perform different functions:
HEATING SYSTEM = TEMPERATURE
UVB SYSTEM = ULTRAVIOLET
DAYLIGHT LED = VISIBLE LIGHT
One does not replace another.
Feeding
Eyelash Vipers are ambush predators.
Natural prey can include:
- Small mammals
- Birds
- Lizards
- Frogs
Juveniles may consume proportionally more:
- Frogs
- Lizards
- Small vertebrates
than adults.
Captive animals can usually be maintained successfully on appropriately sized whole rodents once established.
Frozen-Thawed Prey
Where accepted:
APPROPRIATELY PREPARED FROZEN-THAWED PREY
is preferable to routine live vertebrate feeding.
Live rodents can cause serious injuries.
Prey Size
Avoid excessively large meals.
For arboreal vipers, excessively heavy prey can:
- Increase regurgitation risk
- Increase obesity
- Reduce mobility
- Make perching more difficult
A modest visible swelling after feeding is sufficient.
Feeding Frequency
Juveniles
Approximately:
every 5–7 days
depending upon prey size and growth.
Subadults
Approximately:
every 7–10 days
may be suitable.
Adults
Many adults can be maintained on appropriately sized prey approximately:
every 10–14 days
with larger mature females potentially requiring slightly longer intervals depending upon body condition.
Body Condition
Eyelash Vipers should appear:
ROBUST BUT NOT BULKY.
Obesity can be particularly problematic in arboreal snakes because excessive body mass reduces:
- Mobility
- Climbing ability
- Normal posture
Monitor:
- Weight
- Body contour
- Perching behaviour
- Activity
Feeding Safety
Feeding should be managed without unnecessary close exposure to the snake.
Food should never be presented directly by hand.
This care sheet deliberately does not provide step-by-step handling or manipulation procedures.
Behaviour & Temperament
Eyelash Vipers are primarily ambush predators.
Normal behaviour can include:
- Remaining coiled on a branch
- Moving to a different perch at night
- Selecting positions near feeding routes
- Resting among foliage
- Occasional basking
Their apparent immobility should never be interpreted as docility.
A stationary arboreal viper can strike rapidly.
Strike Range
The snake may be capable of striking from an elevated perch in directions that are difficult to predict.
Enclosure servicing should therefore never rely upon assumptions such as:
- “It is facing away”
- “It has not moved”
- “It is asleep”
Safety must come from containment and procedure.
Handling
Eyelash Vipers should not be casually handled.
Their combination of:
- Arboreal posture
- Camouflage
- Rapid strike
- Venom
makes them specialist animals.
This care sheet intentionally does not provide procedural handling or restraint techniques.
Cohabitation
Individual housing is recommended.
This simplifies:
- Feeding
- Weight monitoring
- Faecal monitoring
- Health assessment
- Safe enclosure servicing
Temporary reproductive introductions are different from routine permanent cohabitation.
Cleaning & Routine Care
Regularly monitor:
- Water
- Faeces
- Urates
- Shed skin
- Branch condition
- Substrate moisture
- Humidity
- Ventilation
- Temperatures
- Lighting
- Locks
- Signs of parasites
- General behaviour
Spot-clean contamination promptly.
Branches may require periodic cleaning or replacement.
Quarantine
New animals should undergo strict quarantine.
Approximately:
90 DAYS MINIMUM
is a sensible starting point.
Longer may be appropriate for:
- Imported animals
- Animals of uncertain origin
- Animals showing health problems
- Animals with suspected parasite exposure
Use dedicated:
- Water bowls
- Cleaning tools
- Husbandry equipment
where practical.
Quarantine Monitoring
Record:
- Body weight
- Feeding
- Faeces
- Shedding
- Respiration
- Skin condition
- Mouth condition
- Perching behaviour
Veterinary examination and parasite screening should be considered where appropriate.
Common Health Concerns
Respiratory Disease
Possible signs include:
- Wheezing
- Clicking
- Nasal discharge
- Excess oral mucus
- Persistent abnormal open-mouth breathing
Risk increases with:
- Excessively cool conditions
- Poor ventilation
- Constantly wet enclosure conditions
Stomatitis
Possible signs include:
- Oral swelling
- Discharge
- Abnormal mouth position
- Damaged tissue
Veterinary assessment is required.
Skin Disease
Persistently wet surfaces can contribute to:
- Dermatitis
- Scale inflammation
- Bacterial infection
Humidity should be high without keeping the snake continuously wet.
Parasites
Watch for:
- Mites
- Weight loss
- Abnormal faeces
- Poor condition
- Reduced appetite
Imported or poorly documented animals require particular attention.
Dysecdysis
Poor shedding may occur with:
- Dehydration
- Inadequate humidity
- Illness
- Parasites
Provide an appropriate humidity cycle rather than keeping the enclosure permanently saturated.
Obesity
One of the most common avoidable problems in captive arboreal vipers.
Maintain an appropriate body condition and avoid excessive feeding.
Falls
Poorly secured or unsuitable perches can contribute to injury.
Branches must remain stable and safe.
Signs of Good Health
A healthy Eyelash Viper should generally display:
- Clear eyes outside shedding
- Clean nostrils
- Quiet respiration
- Smooth intact scales
- Strong controlled perching
- Appropriate body condition
- Normal tongue-flicking
- Appropriate feeding response
- Normal faeces
- Complete sheds
When to Seek Veterinary Advice
Seek appropriately experienced reptile veterinary care for:
- Respiratory symptoms
- Oral or nasal discharge
- Significant unexplained weight loss
- Persistent abnormal food refusal
- Repeated regurgitation
- Skin lesions
- Burns
- Abnormal swelling
- Persistent abnormal faeces
- Significant injury
- Reproductive problems
- Major unexplained behavioural changes
Veterinary Planning
Appropriate veterinary support should be identified before acquisition.
Not every reptile veterinarian is equipped to manage a dangerously venomous arboreal viper.
The practice should know:
- Exact species
- Venomous status
- Approximate size
- Reason for presentation
before the animal is transported.
Never unexpectedly arrive at a veterinary clinic with a venomous snake.
Emergency Planning
A written emergency plan should exist before the snake enters the facility.
It should include:
- Exact species present
- Relevant emergency medical arrangements
- Appropriate emergency contacts
- A plan should the primary keeper become incapacitated
- Details of suitably competent backup assistance
Responsible people associated with the premises should know that venomous reptiles are present and know how to summon help without entering the secure reptile area.
Any suspected Eyelash Viper bite requires:
IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSESSMENT.
Do not rely upon improvised home treatment.
Escape Planning
A written escape plan should also exist.
The secure room or facility should be designed to reduce the chance of an escaped snake reaching:
- Living areas
- Public areas
- Outdoors
- Inaccessible structural spaces
People without appropriate specialist competence should not attempt to capture an escaped Eyelash Viper.
Prevention through secure containment remains the priority.
Breeding
Eyelash Vipers are:
VIVIPAROUS — LIVE-BEARING.
Females give birth to fully formed young rather than laying eggs.
Breeding should only be attempted by appropriately experienced venomous-reptile keepers with:
- Mature healthy adults
- Secure facilities
- Appropriate emergency planning
- Individual accommodation for offspring
- Legal compliance
- A realistic long-term plan for every neonate
Sexual Dimorphism
Females generally become:
- Longer
- Heavier
- More robust
than males.
This difference becomes more obvious in mature animals.
Reproductive Cycling
Breeding activity can be influenced by:
- Seasonal rainfall
- Temperature
- Photoperiod
- Humidity
- Feeding
Known locality information should be retained where available.
Extreme cooling is not appropriate for routine reproductive cycling in a tropical arboreal viper.
Gravid Females
A gravid female may:
- Become visibly broader
- Reduce food intake
- Alter perch preference
- Spend more time in warmer areas
- Reduce activity late in gestation
Provide excellent:
- Hydration
- Temperature choice
- Perch stability
- Security
Litter Size
Litter size varies considerably.
Approximately:
5–20 young
may occur, with larger females potentially producing substantial litters.
Breeders should be prepared for more neonates than expected.
Neonates
Newborn Eyelash Vipers are:
VENOMOUS FROM BIRTH.
They must never be treated as harmless because of their small size.
Neonates require:
- Secure individual accommodation
- Fine but stable perches
- Appropriate temperature
- High humidity with ventilation
- Fresh water
- Appropriately sized prey
Individual housing makes monitoring substantially easier.
Neonate Feeding
Some neonates may initially prefer very small prey types.
Feeding should focus on:
- Appropriate prey size
- Reliable feeding
- Healthy growth
- Avoiding excessive meal size
Juveniles should not be power-fed.
Legal Considerations — Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland is not governed by the UK’s Dangerous Wild Animals Act.
A British Dangerous Wild Animals licence should therefore not be presented as a Republic of Ireland requirement for keeping an Eyelash Viper.
However, anyone acquiring, keeping, breeding, transporting, importing, exporting or transferring a dangerously venomous reptile in the Republic of Ireland must verify all legislation and requirements applicable at the time.
Relevant considerations can include:
- Animal health and welfare legislation
- Import/export controls
- Wildlife-trade requirements
- Transport requirements
- Public-safety responsibilities
- Property, tenancy and insurance restrictions
Always verify the current Republic of Ireland position before acquisition or movement.
Legal Considerations — Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has its own dangerous wild animal legislation.
Dangerously venomous vipers fall within the Northern Ireland dangerous wild animal licensing framework.
A prospective keeper should verify the current requirements with the appropriate Northern Ireland authority and obtain any licence or approval required before acquisition.
Legal Considerations — Great Britain
In England, Scotland and Wales, vipers fall within the Dangerous Wild Animals licensing framework.
Anyone intending to keep an Eyelash Viper should verify current requirements with the relevant local authority before acquisition.
Important Jurisdiction Distinction
For readers in Ireland and the UK:
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ≠ NORTHERN IRELAND ≠ GREAT BRITAIN
Their legal frameworks are not interchangeable.
The Dangerous Wild Animals legislation applicable in Great Britain does not apply in the Republic of Ireland.
Compliance in one jurisdiction does not automatically establish compliance in another.
Responsible Ownership Checklist
Before acquiring an Eyelash Viper, ensure you can provide:
- Appropriate specialist venomous-reptile experience
- Secure dedicated reptile facility
- Lockable escape-resistant enclosure
- Secondary containment
- Approximately 3 × 2 × 3 ft or larger adult accommodation
- Usable enclosure height
- Stable horizontal and diagonal perches
- Multiple branch diameters
- Correct thermal gradient
- Appropriate humidity
- Strong ventilation
- Fresh drinking water
- Suitable substrate
- Effective drainage
- Dense visual cover
- Appropriate visible lighting
- Optional low-level UVB
- Suitable whole-prey diet
- Controlled body condition
- Strict quarantine
- Specialist veterinary arrangements
- Written medical emergency plan
- Written escape plan
- Responsible backup arrangements
- Secure transport arrangements
- Correct legal permissions
- Long-term specialist care
Common Husbandry Mistakes
Keeping an arboreal viper in a low enclosure
Usable height is essential.
Too few branches
Provide multiple secure perching options.
Branches too thin
Offer varied diameters capable of supporting a stable resting coil.
Unstable branches
Every perch must be securely fixed.
Whole enclosure too warm
Forest vipers require cooler retreat areas.
Keeping temperatures constantly above 29–30°C
Chronic overheating can be harmful.
High humidity with poor ventilation
Humid does not mean stagnant.
Keeping the enclosure permanently soaked
Allow branches and exposed surfaces to dry.
No drainage
Waterlogged substrate creates health risks.
No visual cover
Dense foliage provides security.
Using excessive UVB
Only low-level exposure is appropriate.
Ignoring perch height when measuring UVB
An arboreal snake may be much closer to the lamp than the enclosure floor.
Overfeeding
Arboreal vipers should not become excessively heavy.
Offering excessively large prey
Large meals can impair normal perching.
Assuming immobility means safety
A coiled arboreal viper can strike rapidly.
Casual handling
This is a dangerously venomous snake.
No secondary containment
The enclosure should exist within a secure surrounding facility.
No emergency plan
Medical planning must exist before acquisition.
No veterinary plan
Identify appropriate veterinary support beforehand.
Breeding without accommodation for neonates
Every offspring is venomous from birth.
Assuming UK DWA legislation applies in the Republic of Ireland
It does not.
Husbandry Summary
Adult male size: Approximately 18–24 in (45–60 cm)
Adult female size: Approximately 24–32 in (60–80 cm), occasionally larger
Adult enclosure: Approximately 3 × 2 × 3 ft (90 × 60 × 90 cm) or larger
Lifestyle: Arboreal
Warm area: Approximately 26–28°C (79–82°F)
General daytime temperature: Approximately 23–26°C (73–79°F)
Cool retreat: Approximately 21–23°C (70–73°F)
Night: Approximately 20–23°C (68–73°F)
Humidity: Approximately 70–85%
Ventilation: Essential
Water: Fresh drinking water continuously available
Misting: Useful for humidity cycles and drinking droplets
Lighting: Approximately 11–12 hours daytime illumination
UVB: Optional low-level linear UVB
Target UVI: Approximately 0.5–1.0 at an accessible perch with complete shade available
Diet: Appropriately sized whole vertebrate prey
Adult feeding: Commonly approximately every 10–14 days, adjusted according to meal size and body condition
Housing: Individual housing recommended
Handling: Specialist venomous-reptile management only
Reproduction: Live-bearing
Typical litter: Approximately 5–20 young, with variation
Neonates: Venomous from birth
Quarantine: Approximately 90 days minimum as a sensible starting point
Experience: Specialist/expert
Captive-bred: Strongly preferred
Practical UVB Summary
For the Eyelash Viper, comprehensive modern husbandry may include:
LOW-LEVEL UVB + EXTENSIVE SHADE + COMPLETE UV RETREAT
A suitable linear UVB installation can provide approximately:
UVI 0.5–1.0
at an accessible perch.
The exact equipment required depends upon:
- Lamp model
- Reflector
- Distance
- Mesh
- Enclosure construction
- Perch height
Remember:
CLOSER = GENERALLY MORE UV
FARTHER AWAY = GENERALLY LESS UV
MESH = USUALLY LESS UV
and:
HEAT = TEMPERATURE
UVB = ULTRAVIOLET
DAYLIGHT LED = VISIBLE LIGHT
In an arboreal enclosure, UV measurements should be taken at the actual heights used by the snake.
The animal must always be able to retreat into complete shade.
Important Information
This care sheet provides general husbandry guidance and does not replace species-specific research, specialist practical training, legal advice or veterinary advice. Individual requirements may vary, particularly between geographical populations.
The Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) is a dangerously venomous snake capable of causing serious envenomation. It is suitable only for appropriately experienced specialist keepers with secure facilities, emergency procedures and all legally required permissions.
This care sheet deliberately does not provide step-by-step instructions for handling, restraint or physical manipulation of venomous snakes.
The Dangerous Wild Animals legislation applicable in Great Britain does not apply in the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland has separate dangerous wild animal legislation. Always verify the current requirements for the jurisdiction in which the animal will actually be kept.
Captive-bred animals of documented provenance should be strongly preferred.
If you have concerns about an animal’s health or care, consult a suitably experienced reptile veterinarian who is prepared and equipped to work with dangerously venomous reptiles.
Information correct at the date of publication.
reptilecommunity.com | Revised: August 2026