Title: The Bushmasters (Lachesis spp.): Queens of the rainforest
Abstract: We herein provide an overview of the bushmasters (Lachesis spp.), the longest vipers in the world. Weaddress taxonomy, distribution, etymology, lore, natural history (reproduction, defense, behavior, activity, prey andpredators), and, for the first time, conservation issues, suggesting that Lachesis melanocephala is a Critically Endangeredspecies under IUCN criteria.