#bothrops asper

[inatherps]

Terciopelo (Bothrops asper)

Observed by marcozozaya, CC BY-NC

[jadewolf-photography]

Fer-De-Lance

Bothrops asper Highly Venomous Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

[terranlifeform]

Terciopelo (Bothrops asper) at Cartago in Costa Rica

Chien C. Lee

[exotic-venom]

(Bothrops asper) Fer-de-lance

Has a large supply of potent mainly hemotoxic venom w/ cytotoxic factors; envenomation can cause systemic internal bleeding & serious local tissue destruction. Causes immediate burning pain, edema, local hemorrhage, discoloration, necrosis, can cause wide-spread hemorrhage (at multiple sites & intracranial), coagulopathy, severe hypotension, renal failure & shock. Causes more human deaths than any other pitviper species in the Western Hemisphere.’

[kimberlyathomas]

Fer-de-lance or Terciopelo (Bothrops asper)

La Selva Biological Research Station, Costa Rica, 3/16/2018

[to-boop-or-not-to-boop]

Bothrops asper

Common name: fer-de-lance

Bothrops asper is a venomous pit viperspecies ranging from southern Mexico to northern South America. Sometimes referred to as the “ultimate pit viper”, these snakes are found in a wide range of lowland habitats, often near human habitations. Its proximity to human habitations is likely the reason why it is considered more dangerous to humans than others. This species is the main cause of snakebite incidents within its range. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Venom

This species is irritable and fast-moving. It is also regarded as being more excitable and unpredictable than B. atrox. Its large size and habit of raising its head high off the ground can result in bites above the knee. It has also been observed to eject venom over a distance of at least 6 ft (1.8 m) in fine jets from the tips of its fangs.

Bite symptoms include pain, oozing from the puncture wounds, local swelling that may increase for up to 36 hours, bruising that spreads from the bite site, blisters, numbness, mild fever, headache, bleeding from the nose and gums, hemoptysis, gastrointestinal bleeding, hematuria,hypotension, nausea, vomiting, impaired consciousness and tenderness of the spleen. In untreated cases, local necrosis frequently occurs and may require amputation. In 12 fatal cases, the cause of death was sepsis, intracranial hemorrhage, acute renal failure with hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis and hemorrhagic shock.

Behavior

This species is nocturnal and solitary. It is less active in colder and drier periods. B. asper is often found near rivers and streams, basking under the sun during the day and lying still while well camouflaged in leaf litter or under forest cover waiting to ambush prey (including rats and mice) that comes within range during the night. When cornered or threatened, this species can be very defensive and may exhibit an S-coiled defense display. Juveniles are often semiarboreal and even adults are sometimes encountered in bushes and low trees. Juveniles are also known to exhibit caudal luring, a use of their differently colored tail tips to lure prey. Although both males and females display this behavior, only males have bright coloured tail tips.

Compared to the common lancehead, B. atrox, these snakes have been described as excitable and unpredictable when disturbed. They can, and often will, move very quickly, usually opting to flee from danger, but are capable of suddenly reversing direction to vigorously defend themselves. Adult specimens, when cornered and fully alert, should be considered dangerous.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothrops_asper

[jadewolf-photography]

Fer-De-Lance

Bothrops asper Highly Venomous Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

[exotic-venom]

(Bothrops asper) Terciopelo

Has a large supply of potent mainly hemotoxic venom w/ cytotoxic factors; envenomation can cause systemic internal bleeding & serious local tissue destruction. Causes immediate burning pain, edema, local hemorrhage, discoloration, necrosis, can cause wide-spread hemorrhage (at multiple sites & intracranial), coagulopathy, severe hypotension, renal failure & shock. Causes more human deaths than any other pitviper species in the Western Hemisphere.