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Bothrops asper
Fer-de-Lance (Bothrops asper), Terciopelo, Centralamerican Lancehead, Terciopelo-Lanzenotter, Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Peninsula de Osa, Costa Rica
One of the most dangerous snakes in the neotropical rainforest. It lives mostly on the ground, is extremely nervous and irritable, very fast-moving, has the capability to"jump" (which could result in bites above the knee), is hiding often at creeks and small rivers. You find it also on small bushes and trees. The venom is from the medical point-of-view a very aggressive one with the whole spectrum of nasty things. It has been observed that this snake can spit its venom more than 1.50 m, however, this story is from 1924 and is not completely verified. Venom on mucous surfaces like on the eye and on the oral cavity can easely penetrate and leads to severe damage of the cornea which could result in blindness. Most known for spitting are some Cobra species. The spitting habit has a quite simple aim: Alert other animal so not to trample the snake. Spitting is not for killing the prey. Why I tell you this?? Oh, I would NEVER go so close again... And it is also called the 3-man-snake: The first will irritate the snake, the second one will make her angry and the third man will get the bite!
Spotted on Dec 23, 2006
Submitted on Dec 23, 2011
4 Comments
Generic name of Bothrops snakes in Brazil is Jararaca that, in Tupi (the native brazilians language), means jump-as-long-as-body. Actually, it can reach a distance equal to 4/5 of its body.
Thankfully, the one we spotted was asleep and on the shore of the creek we were hiking through! Amazing snakes...glad I got to see and photograph one, but also very thankful it was content to stay put!
Fantastic spotting! 2 trips to Costa Rica and I'm still to get a picture of one... but part of me would rather not :-)
I would never get that close either! I have seen these guys move and they are so fast!