Description:  The body hue is rather pale  brown or pinkish, with a series of large bold dark brown or black blotches  extending along the body. Its scales are extremely rough.

Characteristics:  The world's largest pit  viper has a bad reputation.  This huge venomous snake is not common anywhere in  its range.  It lives in remote and isolated habitats and is largely nocturnal in  its feeding habits; it seldom bites anyone, so few bites are recorded.  A bite from one would indeed be very serious and fatal if medical aid was not  immediately available.  Usually, the bites occur in remote, dense jungles, many kilometers and several hours or even days away from medical help.  Bushmaster  fangs are long.  In large bushmasters, they can measure 3.8 centimeters.  Its  venom is a powerful hemotoxin.

Habitat:  Found chiefly in tropical forests in their range.

Length: Average 2.1 meters, maximum 3.7 meters.

Distribution: Nicaraqua, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad, and Brazil.

BUSHMASTER