The Fer De Lance is a species of venomous Pit Viper that can be found from Mexico to parts of Northern South America.
It is one of the largest species of Pit Vipers in the world and can grow to over 8ft, although most specimens will be smaller than this.
This venomous snake is feared throughout its range and is responsible for a large number of snake bites due to its defensive nature and proximity to humans.
Fer De Lance Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The family that the Fer De Lance belongs to is called Viperidae or simply the Viper family of snakes.
This is one of the most popular families of venomous snakes in the world along with the Elapid family.
Vipers are found throughout most of the world but an interesting fact about vipers is that they are not native to Australia. The majority of venomous snakes in Australia are from the Elapid family.
Even though Australia has ‘Adders’, such sa the Common Death Adder, these ‘Adders’ are not related to the ‘Viper’ Adders of Africa and actually belong to the Elapid Family.
Some of the other species in this family include the Eyelash Viper, the European Adder, the Gaboon Viper and the Horned Adder.
Genus
The genus that the Fer De Lance belongs to is called Bothrops. This is a genus of highly venomous Pit Vipers.
The species of this genus are native to the neotropical regions of Central and South America as well as some of the Caribbean Islands.
The name Bothrops is derived from two Greek words ‘bothros’ and ‘ops’ which translate to ‘pit’ and ‘face’. This is a reference to the snake’s heat sensing pits.
There are currently 48 recognised species in the Bothrops genus. Some of the other species include the Common Lancehead, the Golden Lancehead and the Painted Lancehead.
Species
The scientific name for the Fer De Lance is Bothrops asper and there are currently no recognised sub-species.
The species was first described in 1884 by a German zoologist named Samuel Walton Garman.
The species name ‘asper, comes from a Latin word meaning ‘rough’ and is a reference the snakes keeled scales.
Fer De Lance Description
The Fer De Lance is a large and robust snake, typically reaching an average length of 1.5 to 2m in length, although larger individuals can exceed 2.5m.
It has a distinct triangular-shaped head with a wide snout, which is characteristic of pit vipers.
The body of the Fer De Lance is thick and muscular, with scales that can vary in color from light brown to dark brown or olive-green.
It may also have a series of dark brown or black-bordered blotches running along the back, which can be variable in pattern and intensity.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Fer De Lance is primarily found in Central America, ranging from southern Mexico to Northern South America.
It can be found in countries such as Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
This species is highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, lowland rainforests, cloud forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas.
Fer De Lance Behaviour
The Fer De Lance is a terrestrial and nocturnal snake, usually active during the night.
It is a solitary and ambush predator, relying on its excellent camouflage to hide and wait for prey to pass by. It primarily feeds on small mammals, birds, lizards, and frogs.
Fer De Lance Venom
The Fer De Lance is known for its potent venom, which it delivers through its long, retractable fangs located in the front of its mouth.
The venom contains a complex mixture of enzymes and toxins that primarily affect the circulatory system and can cause tissue damage, pain, swelling, and in severe cases, even death if untreated.
The Fer De Lance is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in its range due to its venomous bite.
It is responsible for a significant number of snakebite incidents in Central and South America.