Lachesis muta

Lachesis muta, commonly known as the bushmaster, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is the longest viper in the Americas, with some specimens reaching lengths of up to 3 meters (9.8 feet). The species is native to Central and South America, inhabiting a range of environments including tropical rainforests, savannas, and scrublands. The name Lachesis muta is derived from Greek mythology, where Lachesis is one of the three Moirai (Fates) who determines the length of the thread of life. In Hebrew, the snake is known as לכזיס מוטה (Lachesis Muta). Other translations include Bushmeister in German and Vipère arborescente in French. The bushmaster is known for its distinctive pit viper characteristics, including heat-sensing pits located between the eyes and nostrils, which aid in detecting prey. It primarily feeds on small mammals, birds, and lizards. Due to its elusive nature and the remote habitats it inhabits, the bushmaster is not well studied, and much of its behavior and ecology remains poorly understood.