It ranges across much of Mesoamerica, from as far north as the isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico to as far south as extreme northwestern Colombia (Cerro Tacarcuna) along the border with Panama.

[1] Captive juveniles are known to feed on frogs, attracting them by means of moving their bright yellow tails as a lure.

Wild adults are known to feed on frogs (primarily treefrogs and rainfrogs), lizards (anoles, whiptails, and geckos), birds (including hummingbirds), and mammals (bats, mice, and mouse opossums).

[1] The gestation period is 150–166 days (~5 months), resulting in litters of 6–23 neonates that measure 16–22.5 cm in total length at birth.

Similarly, a specimen from Lago Yojoa, Honduras, kept at Centro El Ocotal, produced a litter of four eggs and one live young after being kept in a terrarium without a male for 18 years.

The venom is hemotoxic and strongly myonecrotic (muscle tissue death) compared to other Central American vipers.