Side-striped Palm Pit Viper
Bothriechis lateralis
A slender green arboreal pit viper of Central American cloud forests, marked with a pale lateral stripe.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-0.9 m (2-3 ft)
- Range
- Costa Rica and western Panama highlands
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Overview
The Side-striped Palm Pit Viper is a small, arboreal pit viper found in the cool, misty cloud forests of Costa Rica and western Panama, where it lives almost exclusively among vegetation.
Its vivid green coloration and prehensile tail make it well adapted to a life spent climbing through shrubs and low trees in montane forest habitats.
How to identify it
- Bright to bluish-green dorsal coloration
- Pale yellow or white stripe running along each side of the body
- Slender build with a prehensile tail
- Triangular head with vertical pupils
- Keeled scales giving a slightly rough texture
- Distinguished from other green palm pit vipers by the distinct lateral stripe
Habitat & range
Found in montane cloud forest and premontane wet forest, generally at moderate to high elevations in Costa Rica and adjacent western Panama.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Arboreal and largely nocturnal, ambushing small frogs, lizards, and rodents from perches in vegetation. Ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young. Relies on camouflage and slow, deliberate movement.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Side-striped Palm Pit Viper venomous?
Yes, it is a venomous pit viper, though generally not aggressive.
Where is it found?
In cloud forests of Costa Rica and western Panama, usually at higher elevations.
How can you identify it?
By its green body with a pale stripe running along each side.
Is it arboreal?
Yes, it spends most of its life among branches and shrubs.
Side-striped Palm Pit Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Side-striped Palm Pit Viper.
