Fer-de-lance (species: Bothrops asper) in taxonomy (Gaia Guide)
Bothrops asper
Fer-de-lance


©josh_vandermeulen

©josh_vandermeulen

©Brian Gratwicke
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Reptilia
Order Squamata
Family Viperidae
Genus Bothrops
Species Bothrops asper

Distinguishing features

They are distinguished by their broad, flattened heads which are set apart from the rest of their bodies. The head of this snake is light to dark brown or even black. Although usually absent, it may have occipital blotches or streaks that range from indistinct to distinct. The underside is most often pale yellow. This species has different patterns and colors on its dorsal and ventral sides and it exhibits a postorbital stripe. The ventral side is yellow, cream, or a whitish gray, with dark blotches that are more frequent closer to the posterior end. Ventrolaterally, it has interchanging gray scales which are more pale towards the medial line. Dark triangles with pale edges can be seen laterally, which range in number from 18 to 25. Apices either alternate or are reflective of each other over the middorsal line. In the interspaces, there are dark, paravertebral blotches. Specimens may have a yellow zig-zag-shaped line on each side of the body. There is a great variety of colours on its dorsal side: olive, gray, light brown to dark brown, tan or sometimes nearly black. To prevent water loss where they occur in drier regions, this species has more scales. (Wikipedia)

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Distribution

Web resources