Viperidae
Central American Bushmaster
VenomousLachesis stenophrys
The Central American Bushmaster (Lachesis stenophrys) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 2 countries.
If you are bitten
This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
- Family
- Viperidae
- Danger
- high
About the Central American Bushmaster
Lachesis stenophrys, commonly called the Central American bushmaster, is a species of pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is native to Central America.
Etymology and taxonomy
The specific name, stenophrys, is derived from the Greek words stenos, meaning "narrow", and ophrys, meaning "brow" or "eyebrow". There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. Campbell and Lamar (2004) also recognized Lachesis acrochorda (García, 1896) as a valid species, which McDiarmid et al. (1999) had treated as a synonym of L. stenophrys. The Reptile Database follows the position of Campbell and Lamar.
Description
Adults of L. stenophrys commonly grow to more than 200 cm (6 feet 6¾ inches) and may exceed 330 cm (10 feet 10 inches) in total length (including tail). Ditmars (1910) reported a specimen from Costa Rica that was 11 feet 4 inches (349 cm). Many accounts exist of much larger specimens, but these are poorly documented. Solórzano (2004) cites historical records that put the maximum length at 360 cm (11 feet 9¾ inches).
It has a broadly rounded head and a snout that is not elevated. Typically, the species has a pronounced middorsal ridge that is most distinct on the last quarter of the body.
The color pattern is darker than that of L. muta.
Geographic range
L. stenophrys is found in Central America in the Atlantic lowlands of southern Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as the Pacific lowlands of central and eastern Panama. The type locality given is "Sipurio" (Limón Province, Costa Rica).
Habitat
L. stenophrys occurs in tropical rainforest and lower montane wet forest where annual precipitation averages 2,000-4,000 mm (79–157 inches), which is heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. In the drier areas of Nicaragua, it can be found in gallery forests as well as forests that are seasonally dry, but then never far from sources of water. This species is hardly ever encountered outside of old growth forest. It is found at altitudes from sea level to 1,100 m (3,600 ft).
Behavior
L. stenophrys is terrestrial and nocturnal.
Diet
L. stenophrys preys predominately upon spiny rats and other small rodents.
Reproduction
L. stenophrys is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Central American Bushmaster
- Is the Central American Bushmaster venomous?
- Yes. The Central American Bushmaster (Lachesis stenophrys) is venomous and belongs to the Viperidae family (viper). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
- Is the Central American Bushmaster poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Central American Bushmaster is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Central American Bushmaster dangerous?
- This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
- Where does the Central American Bushmaster live?
- The Central American Bushmaster has verified records in 2 countries, including Costa Rica, Panama. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Central American Bushmaster eat?
- L. stenophrys preys predominately upon spiny rats and other small rodents.
- Why is it called the Central American Bushmaster?
- The specific name, stenophrys, is derived from the Greek words stenos, meaning "narrow", and ophrys, meaning "brow" or "eyebrow". There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. Campbell and Lamar (2004) also recognized Lachesis acrochorda (García, 1896) as a valid species, which McDiarmid et al. (1999) had treated as a synonym of L. stenophrys. The Reptile Database follows the position of Campbell and Lamar.
If you are bitten by the Central American Bushmaster
Do
- Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
- Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
- Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
- Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
- Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
- Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.
Do not
- Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
- Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
- Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
- Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
- Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.
First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.
Where it is found
More Viperidae snakes
South American BushmasterLachesis muta
Chocoan bushmasterLachesis acrochorda
Atlantic Forest bushmasterLachesis rhombeata
Black-headed BushmasterLachesis melanocephala
Western RattlesnakeCrotalus oreganus
Western Diamond-backed RattlesnakeCrotalus atrox
Eastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix
Northern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorus
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
Keep learning
- Are Snakes Dangerous? The Real Risk, in PerspectiveMost snakes are harmless and avoid people. Here is the honest picture of snakebite risk worldwide and how to lower your own.
- Snakebite First Aid: What to Do (and What Never to Do)A clear, CDC-based guide to snakebite first aid: the steps that help, the popular myths that hurt, and how to tell a serious bite from a minor one.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.