Reptiles · Squamata · Viperidae
South American Bushmaster
Lachesis muta
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild over the medium term.
Lachesis muta, the South American bushmaster, known locally as surucucú or shushupe, is a species of snake of the family Viperidae. It is the longest viper in the world, and possibly the second largest venomous snake, beaten only by the king cobra. It is found in Central and South America. Two subspecies are recognised, and according to some herpetologists there is a third subspecies endemic to Bolivia, to which the scientific name Lachesis muta bolivianus would correspond.
Weight
3 kg – 12 kg
Size
2 m – 3.5 m
Life expectancy
20 years
