Lachesis acrochorda, also known commonly as the Chocoan bushmaster, is a species of pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is native to Central America and South America.

Taxonomy

L. acrochorda was formerly considered a synonym of Lachesis stenophrys.

Description

L. acrochorda has a light brown head and black postocular stripes that can range from 1-2 scales wide. The longest recorded length of a male individual in Ecuador was 2.327 m; for females it was 2.342 m.

Geographic range

L. acrochorda is found in Panama, northern and western Colombia (in the Departments of Chocó, Cauca and Antioquia), and northwestern Ecuador.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of L. acrochorda is lowland forest, premontane wet forest, and montane wet forest, mostly in mature forests, at altitudes from sea level to 1,600 m.

Behavior

L. acrochorda is terrestrial and nocturnal.

Reproduction

L. acrochorda is oviparous.

Venom

The venom of L. acrochorda is extremely dangerous in that a snakebite incident will result in a 90% chance of death. Its venom can cause serious side effects, such as vasodilation and blood anti-coagulation.