Bushmaster

Lachesis Muta Muta

Geographical Locale

Bushmaster | Rentokil Pest Control Zambia
  • Tropical forested areas throughout Central & South America, Trinidad and Guyana. 

Appearance

  • The largest Pit Viper in the world.
  • Between 2 and 3 metres in length.
  • Triangular shaped head with rough scales.
  • Heavy bodied.
  • Colour ranges from Brown to pale pink and they also have brown and black diamond markings along the length of their bodies.

Venom

  • The venom is Cytotoxic.

The Bite

  • Wound shows two teeth marks and is painful.
  • Swelling develops within 10 to 30 minutes.

Lifecycle

  • These are the only neo-tropical pit vipers to lay eggs.
  • Average nest size is 12.
  • Hatchlings emerge in the Spring and are about 30cms long.

Habits

  • Will attack aggressively, especially when cornered or agitated.
  • Tend to live in heavily forested areas and their colouring and markings give them good camouflage.
  • Mostly nocturnal.