Wildlifeof Costa Rica
Terciopelo
Pit Vipers
Photo: Brian Gratwicke · CC BY 2.0
Bothrops asper
Basic stats
Diet
Not recorded in the sources opened
Habitat
Forest at low to moderate elevations, from lowland to premontane forest; terrestrial and nocturnal
Range
North-eastern Mexico through Central America to the Colombian and Ecuadorian Andes and Venezuela; up to about 1,500m
Size
Up to 2.5m
Weight
Up to about 6kg
The terciopelo, or fer-de-lance, is among the largest vipers, reaching about 2.5m and up to 6kg. It is light to dark brown, often with yellowish zig-zag patterning along each side, a broad flat head set off from the body, and usually a pale yellow underside. Its reputation as 'the ultimate pit viper' comes from its defensiveness, size, fangs and large venom yield (Wikipedia, general species account).
The terciopelo causes the most venomous snakebites in its range, largely because it lives close to people, livestock and pets. Like other venomous snakes it avoids contact, and bites usually happen when the snake is cornered, pursued or threatened. It is nocturnal, terrestrial and viviparous (Wikipedia, general species account; ReptTraits, Oskyrko et al. 2024).
On this guide it is a target species of La Selva and Corcovado. Visitors should keep to trails, watch where they step and never handle one.
Quick answers
- What does the Terciopelo eat?
- Not recorded in the sources opened
- What habitat does the Terciopelo live in?
- Forest at low to moderate elevations, from lowland to premontane forest; terrestrial and nocturnal
- Where is the Terciopelo found?
- North-eastern Mexico through Central America to the Colombian and Ecuadorian Andes and Venezuela; up to about 1,500m
- How big is the Terciopelo?
- Up to 2.5m
- How much does the Terciopelo weigh?
- Up to about 6kg