Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The Fer-de-lance, Bothrops asper, terciopelo same snake three names. these guys were every where. We had two on the first day alone, one within 30 minutes of getting to the Hotel, right on the hotel grounds!
This one was in the Carra national Park, sitting between the post (the green things in the Picture) of a sign set up for the tourist to read. We were less then a foot from the snake before we saw it!!!

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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

This is the one we found resting in a rock wall, on a small depression. He was just a foot long....

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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

He stay in the same spot for three days, when he did move is was just to the other side of the trail, but always right in line with the trail and in striking range. No one ever bothered him....

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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

They have such a triangular head, like a venomous, but then again, it looks a little boa-ish, like a dumeril. Is it a venomous?

I think the correct answer to that is "yes, lots-o-venemous!" or even "very ouchy venom contained within" or even "why was this person taking this picture so freaking close to such a venemous snake!?!?" Personally, I think the Lancehead viper has one of the scariest venoms out there, but that's just my very ametuer opinion...

AJ
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1.0 Hypo Okeetee - Wesley (Princess Bride)
0.1 Ghost - Sydney (Scream)
2.0 Striped Amel - Jay and Aiden (Kevin Smith movies)
1.0 Snow - Silent Bob (Kevin Smith movies)
0.1 Anery - Columbia (Rocky Horror)
1.0 Creamcicle - Brandon (Mallrats)
0.1 Zig Zag Anery - Pepper (didn't name her)
0.1 Normal - Bindy (Croc. Hunter)
0.1 Motley - Craven (Underworld)

Yes, the Fer-de-Lance is the most common Venomous snake in Central and South America. It has a bad rep for being aggressive but I think it is mostly misunderstood.
The Fer-de-lance is an ambush predator that is active mostly at night. This snake blends in so well with it’s environment that you would look right at it and not see it. It just will not move from its spot once it is settled down. I think most bites are from people either stepping right onto the snake, or even worse trying to pick the snake up. These snakes never even tongue flicked the air when we were in the area, just did not move an inch, the only time any of the 11 or so Fer-De-Lances that we came across showed any signs on aggression is when we had to remove the first one from the Hotel property. Only after I hooked and moved the snake did it start to strike at us.
As far as being so close to one, my camera’s lens makes it look much closer then I was. I used a digital camera for these pics with a LCD screen so I could extend and keep a distance back with out ever taking my eye off the snake. I assure everyone that I did not put myself within striking range at any time. I don’t work with venomous snakes as a general rule, but I am still safe when taking their pictures.
I hope you all enjoyed them
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

One of the other reasons people are often victims of their bites is because the Lancehead can strike almost the lengh of its body, 3 ft. Also, they surprise many people with their ability to strike verticly in the air. While a beautiful snake, not one I would want to mess with.

Brett
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The Zoo
1.0 Amel Cornsnake
1.0 Russian Tort
0.0.1 Crested Gecko
3.0 Cats
To be added
0.0.2 Beardies
0.1 Cornsnake morph to be determined

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Amazingly beautiful pictures. Gotta love digital cameras! Looks like you had a fun trip!
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1.0 Hypo Okeetee - Wesley (Princess Bride)
0.1 Ghost - Sydney (Scream)
2.0 Striped Amel - Jay and Aiden (Kevin Smith movies)
1.0 Snow - Silent Bob (Kevin Smith movies)
0.1 Anery - Columbia (Rocky Horror)
1.0 Creamcicle - Brandon (Mallrats)
0.1 Zig Zag Anery - Pepper (didn't name her)
0.1 Normal - Bindy (Croc. Hunter)
0.1 Motley - Craven (Underworld)