The snake bearing the name bushmeister (other names - surukuku, dumb krotal) is a very rare species of reptiles. It belongs to the viper family and the subfamily of rattlesnakes (rattlesnakes, pitheads). This is one of the most toxic reptiles of the American mainland.
Surukuku lives in South America and in some areas of equatorial Africa, and only in uninhabited territories. It is clear that in our time their number has decreased dramatically, and they are already very rare.
About the features of the most dangerous bushmeister snake, read this article.
Description
The body length of the suuruku snake is from 2.5 to 3 meters. But there were specimens up to 4 meters. The cross section of the body of the snake looks like a triangle. Weight - no more than 5 kg. The color is variegated, characteristic of vipers. Pattern in the form of brown rhombs on a tan background.
The end of the tail is hollow with stiff scales, when they hit the plants and stones, a quiet hum is heard, which is usually compared with the sound of rattles of rattlesnakes.
On the head, which is also characteristic of all rattlesnakes, there are two pits sensitive to infrared radiation, which allows the snake to hunt successfully. Indeed, the body temperature of a potential victim of a reptile is higher than the surrounding air. Thus, with the help of these "primitive eyes" (but the snake itself also has good eyesight), even in pitch darkness, the snake finds its prey. As a rule, these are small mammals, sometimes birds.
Ribbed (keeled) scales, large poisonous teeth (2.5 cm, and according to some sources up to 4 cm), large eyes with vertical pupils are another hallmark of a Bushmeister snake. According to habits and lifestyle, this reptile is closest to a rattlesnake.
Where dwells
The range of Surukuku consists of some areas of South America with the capture of part of the south of North America. Hiding from direct sunlight, the snake prefers to hide in tropical lowland wet bushes. Thickets of the jungle of countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Nicaragua, Colombia, Guyana, Peru - the habitat of the most dangerous bushmeister in the world. This creature can also be found in the equatorial countries of South Africa.
The Bushmaster does not like the noise and the neighborhood of a person, so you will not meet him near human settlements. In the afternoon, he lies in the jungle, hiding among the foliage. A colorful motif helps him disguise himself. The animals that disturbed daytime sleep, the bushmeister snake, in order not to waste poison in vain, drives away tail blows. As a rule, having heard this peculiar hum, they are removed.
How to hunt
This reptile goes hunting at night and ambushes near animal trails. Usually the bushmeister patiently waits for prey among the foliage, lying motionless ball. In tracking down the victims of this snake, like all pitheads, thermal radars help. When the potential prey is close enough, the hunter bends the front body in the form of the letter S, makes an attack roll and stings the victim, injecting a large dose of poison (about 400 mg) into it. This attack can be made already from a distance of 50 cm - it is at that distance that the Bushmaster begins to “see” his victim.
A bushmeister or surukuku snake, as a rule, swallows a completely killed animal. The muscles of her pharynx are strong enough, they are arranged in such a way that they are able to push food through the esophagus while it is being digested. The stomach enzymes of the snake are so strong that they can digest the animal along with the skin and bones.
According to the stories of the Indians, surukuk is especially dangerous for travelers because it remains completely still until a person approaches. Just then the snake attacks, and this throw can appear fatal for the unsuspecting traveler.
Breeding
The bushmeister reaches puberty in two years. With the onset of the breeding season, which usually happens in the spring, the male goes in search of a partner, focusing on the pheromones that she secrets during the mating period. Some time after the mating dance in a shallow pit, the female will lay a dozen or more eggs. From above, it will cover them with moist soil in order to maintain a constant temperature in the nest. About 80 days will pass, and the already completely independent young snakes hatched will go on their first hunt.
What is interesting for the Bushmaster?
Here are a number of facts known to science that will help to better understand the nature of this mysterious creation of nature.
Experimenting, zoologists taped the eyes and ears of the snake, but this did not in the least prevent her from continuing to perfectly track and attack prey.
In the primordial habitats of the snake, the bushmeister, due to the thickness and roughness of the skin, has received the name "pineapple snake".
Despite the fact that this reptile is considered the most poisonous snake in the world, only 25 cases of a bite of a surukuk are officially recorded. However, only 5 of them were fatal. At the same time, many tragic plots about how people became victims of the bites of these snakes have been preserved in history.
Surukuku is so rarely seen in nature, and if this happens, it causes such horror in its size, speed of reaction and strength that the locals have built up many legends and beliefs about it.
One of them says that this snake is able to extinguish the flame of any strength thanks to the evil spirit that lives in its body. According to another Bushmaster, he steals milk from cows and women while they are sleeping. Or one more thing: this snake is able to lull the traveler with its gaze, hypnotizing it, after which it will surely drag it into the thicket, where it will gobble it up.
