What should we know about the venomous snake named Fer de Lance?

Fer de Lance

Highlights.

Fer de Lance

The fer-de-lance, a pit-viper species, is known as the terciopelo in Costa Rica. It is considered one of the country’s most dangerous snakes, as it is both highly venomous and aggressive, a behavior not shared by many snakes, which bite primarily as a defense mechanism.

Sometimes known as “the ultimate pit-viper,” the fer-de-lance has a triangular head and a heat sensitive organ between its eyes and nostrils. In terms of coloration, they resemble a rattlesnake: brown with chevron markings of darker brown or forest green outlined in white. This species is one of the most sexually dimorphic in the snake kingdom. However they are born about the same size, but females grow more quickly and larger than males; adult females can reach over eight feet while males rarely measure more than seven feet. Females have exceptionally thick bodies and can weigh in around 13 pounds.

Fer-de-lances are nocturnal and usually remain hidden under leaf litter or among tree roots. Juveniles may be semi-arboreal, and several cases have been reported of adult snakes living in trees. Their diet consists primarily of terrestrial vertebrates like frogs and lizards, and unlike other Central American species, the Costa Rican fer-de-lance also enjoys small mammals such as opossums and rats.

Adults are considered the most dangerous snake in Costa Rica; they will defend themselves when they feel threatened, so it is a must to always keep the eyes open and to wear sturdy hiking boots.

Habitat.

fer de lance.

The fer-de-lance is found throughout the lowlands of Mexico and Central America, and also ranges south into Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. In Costa Rica, they prefer lowland rainforests and are prevalent in human-modified environments like banana plantations, where rats are the primary food source. They are frequently seen throughout the country’s interior lowlands.

Reproduction.

Reproductive behaviors in Costa Rica are related to rainfall patterns, resulting in different mating habits among populations throughout the country. Breeding occurs from September to November in the Pacific and during March in the Caribbean. After a gestation period of 180 to 240 days, females deliver their offspring live between April and June and September to November. Most litters average around 40 young, though the number can vary greatly.

 

Status in the wild.

This viper is not a threatened species. However, these snakes have been threatened by severe habitat modification, especially in Costa Rica’s more rural areas. The species plays an important role in local ecosystems, both as prey and as predator. Visitors are advised to keep their distance from this highly venomous species and seek medical attention immediately in the case of snakebite.

 

Some cool facts about the Fer de Lance.

  • In captivity it can live more than 20 years.. In the wild well that’s up to a lot of other factors.
  • Fer-de-lance specialize in hunting warm blooded prey such as rodents and birds. Its fangs inject hemotoxic venom into its prey, which quickly coagulates the blood and breaks down capillary walls causing internal bleeding and swelling.
  • To detect their warm blooded prey, these snakes rely on their pit organ located between the eye and nostril. This organ relays thermal information to the snake about the position of their prey.
  • They lay eggs, females give birth to 60 to 80 live babies after pregnancy of 3 to 4 months.
  • Fer De Lance can lay up to 80 eggs at one time.
  • The Fer de Lance reaches sexual maturity at 3 to 4 feet for females while males average at 3 feet.
  • They are solitary snakes and prefer to be on their own.

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