20/08/2024
In Costa Rica our three main mountain ranges (Tilarán, Central and Talamanca) constitute a geographic barrier that separates the Caribbean and Pacific populations of Fer-de-lance, and striking differences exist between individuals from opposite sides of the country.
Females from the Caribbean slope populations measure on average 167cm (66 inches), their smaller Pacific counterparts measure on average 142 cm (56 inches). There is also a distinct size difference between male and female individuals of all populations, on average females are 20% to 25% longer than males. Since the litter size of these live-bearing snakes is positively correlated with the female’s body size, ferdelances on the Caribbean slope give birth to more young than on the pacific side of the country. This species is extremely prolific, litter size ranges from 5 to 86 babies.
Juvenile Bothrops asper predominantly eat frogs and lizards while adults feed on birds and mammals, taking prey up to the size of opossums or rabbits.
Bothrops asper
Fer-de-lance
Terciopelo