Fer-de-lance
Bothrops asper
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyViperidae (Vipèrids)
- GenusBothrops (Neotropical Lanceheads)
- SpeciesBothrops asper (Fer-de-lance)
The terciopelo (Bothrops asper), is a species of pit vipers, found from north-east Mexico to northern South America. At low to moderate elevations, its habitat ranges from northeastern Mexico to Colombian and Ecuadorian Andes, as well as Venezuela. With a mass of up to 6 kilograms (13 lb), and a maximal length of 2.5 metres (8.2 ft), the terciopelo is among the largest vipers. It is light to dark brown in color, often with yellowish, zig-zag patterning on either side of its body. Dubbed "the ultimate pit-viper" for its defensiveness, large size, fangs and potent venom yield, it has a fearsome reputation, responsible for the most envenomated snakebites within its range, largely due to its proximity to humans, livestock and pets. Nonetheless, like all venomous snakes, the terciopelo actively avoids contact with humans and other larger animals, with bites generally only occurring when the snake is cornered, pursued, or threatened. Wikipedia →
10–20% of wildlife watchers report a Fer-de-lance sighting in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, based on 14 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️🌙 When They're Spotted
Active throughout day and night · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Fer-de-lance in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve?
About 14% of wildlife watchers report a Fer-de-lance sighting in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, based on 14 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Fer-de-lance in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve?
July has the highest sighting rate for Fer-de-lance in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in our monthly data.