A natural history blog by Christian Alessandro Perez-Martinez
Terciopelo / Fer-de-lance
Terciopelo from the Osa peninsula; photographed after disturbance [4]
A slick and sharp head profile of a male fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper), an abundant and mostly terrestrial pit viper distributed across Central America. In Spanish the common names include terciopelo which translates to “velvet” (referring to the snake’s smooth reticulated pattern), and barba amarilla or “yellow beard” because of the yellowish labial scales in some adults.
Photographed after disturbance [4]Photographed after disturbance [4]A young terciopelo from the Caribbean versant; photographed after capture [5]Brakes for snakes!! Always watch for wildlife. Photographed after disturbance [4]Photographed after disturbance [4]
Footage of my first adult fer-de-lance, encountered at La Selva, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica. One of the most impactful moments with wildlife that I can remember. Filmed after slight disturbance [2]
