Eyelash Pit Viper

This is an Eyelash pit viper that I found in Costa Rica. In this shot you can clearly see one of its heat sensitive pits between the eye and nose. These pits give the viper a sixth sense which it uses to detect warm-blooded prey. A snake like this can deliver a potentially lethal dose of venom through its large, hypodermic needle-like fangs that are kept folded back against the roof of its mouth. Needless to say, when taking this shot I was careful not to let my warm-blooded fingers get within striking range!