Bothriechis aurifer (Salvin, 1860)

Size

Adults of Bothriechis aurifer generally reach a total length of less than 70 centimetres (28 inches), though some individuals grow to over 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches).

Body Structure

This species has a relatively slender body and a prehensile tail.

General Scalation

Its scalation features 1–5 intersupraocular scales, 8–12 supralabials, 9–13 inflabials, and 18–21 (most commonly 19) rows of dorsal scales at midbody. The second supralabial is fused with the prelacunal to form a lacunolabial structure, and there are 16–21 interrictal scales.

Sex-Based Scale Differences

Males have 148–167 ventral scales and 58–64 mostly undivided subcaudal scales, while females have 152–162 ventral scales and 48–61 subcaudal scales.

Dorsal Color Pattern

The adult color pattern is built on a green base color, with a series of black-bordered yellow blotches running along the back. An irregular, often broken dorsal stripe is visible between these blotches.

Ventral Coloration

The belly is yellowish green and typically lighter in color than the dorsal surface.

Head Markings

The head has a dark postocular stripe.

Iris Features

The iris is usually yellowish-green, sometimes bronze, marked with black specks or reticulations.

Pattern Variations

Over 90% of all specimens have the typical dark dorsal pattern, but a small number are uniformly green and lack postocular stripes.

Juvenile Appearance

Juveniles have a pale lime green ground color and a brightly colored tail tip.

Geographic Range

This species is found in the mountains of eastern Chiapas, Mexico, and in northern Guatemala.

Habitat

It occurs in cloud forest at altitudes between 1200 and 2300 m.

Type Locality

Its given type locality is "Cobán, Alta Vera Paz, Guatemala."