What does a female Bushmaster do after mating?
After mating, females find an abandoned burrow to lay their eggs. She remains in or near the burrow to guard the eggs, and only leaves to drink water. During the course of the two-month incubation period, the female does not eat.
How long does it take for a bushmaster snake to eat?
During the course of the two-month incubation period, the female does not eat. Once the young hatch, she leaves them to fend for themselves. Even just after they have hatched, the young snakes have fully functioning fangs and venom. They can capture and kill small prey soon after hatching.
What kind of body does a Bushmaster have?
This deadly Bushmaster is well-camouflaged in the leaves. Each species is slightly different, but all have thick bodies and broad heads. The Chocoan species has reddish brown scales with black banding. The black-headed and Central American species have light brown scales with dark brown banding along their backs.
What kind of habitat does the Bushmaster live in?
Habitat of the Bushmaster All four species live in similar habitat types. They utilize warm ecosystems with dense vegetation and high rainfall, primarily tropical rainforests. Additionally, they range into cleared areas directly adjacent to forests while hunting.
After mating, females find an abandoned burrow to lay their eggs. She remains in or near the burrow to guard the eggs, and only leaves to drink water. During the course of the two-month incubation period, the female does not eat.
Where does the black headed Bushmaster live?
Lachesis melanocephala, black-headed bushmaster, occurs in southeastern Costa Rica (Osa Peninsula and adjacent rain forest areas). Lachesis muta muta encompasses the remainder of the range in South America. ( Bartlett and Bartlett, 2003; Kohler, 2003; Leenders, 2001; Vial and Jimenez-Porras, 1967; Zamudio and Greene, 1997)
How long does it take for a Bushmaster to hatch?
Females lays 5 to 19 eggs in a burrow, often an abandoned agouti burrow, and guard the nest. They do not eat during incubation and only leave the nest briefly to drink. Incubation requires 60 to 79 days. Newly hatched bushmasters are typically 30 to 50 cm long. Sexual maturity occurs at around 4 years of age.
During the course of the two-month incubation period, the female does not eat. Once the young hatch, she leaves them to fend for themselves. Even just after they have hatched, the young snakes have fully functioning fangs and venom. They can capture and kill small prey soon after hatching.
