Lachesis muta

Information about the South American Bushmaster:

The South American Bushmaster is a large venomous pitviper native to the tropical and subtropical rainforests of South America (including the island of Trinidad in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago). Adults grow to an average of 6.5-8 feet (2-2.5 meters), but they can reach lengths up to nearly 10 feet (3 meters) It is the largest of all vipers and the longest venomous snake in the western hemisphere, although it is not the heaviest - less than some boas and rattlesnakes. The toxin is one of the most deadly of all the New World snakes, and fatalities do occur if the victim does not receive medical attention soon after being bitten. Even though the tail and colors of the bushmaster resembles that of rattlesnakes, the sound emitted by the bushmaster is quite different. Acting like a rattlesnake, the bushmaster will shake its tail rapidly when alarmed by an intruder; however, no sound is produced from this shaking from which its species name muta is derived. Instead of having a rattle on its tail to warn incomers, the bushmaster vibrates its tail across the leaves of the forest floor, creating a stirring sound comparable to that of a "rattle."

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