Order: Squamata
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bothrops (45 species)
Distribution: Tropical forests of Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia and northern Argentina. Central America, the West Indies and possibly Mexico.
Habitat: Forest areas, along stream edges and ditches. Also plantations and areas of human habitation.
Size: Length: average 1.8m-2.4m+
Life-span: Over 20 years.
Food: Small mammals and birds.
Breeding season: Throughout the year.
Gestation: 3-4 months.
No. of young: 50-80.
The fer-de-lance's name means 'spearhead' in French. It is the most dangerous snake of Central and South America, and causes more human deaths than any other American reptile. On average, a fer-de-lance injects 105mg of venom in one bite, although a venom yield of up to 310mg has been recorded while milking them. The fatal dose for a human is 50mg.
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