Bothrops lanceolatus
| Bothrops lanceolatus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Taxidermied museum exhibit. | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Bothrops |
| Species: | B. lanceolatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Bothrops lanceolatus (Bonnaterre, 1790)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Bothrops lanceolatus — known as the fer-de-lance, Martinican pit viper,[3] and Martinique lancehead[1][4][5] — is a species of pit viper endemic to the Caribbean island of Martinique.[1][4] Some reserve the common name fer-de-lance for this species, while others apply that name to other Bothrops species as well. No subspecies are currently recognized.[4][6]
Geographic range[edit]
Bothrops lanceolatus is generally considered endemic to the island of Martinique in the Lesser Antilles. Along with Bothrops caribbaeus and B. atrox, it is one of three Bothrops species found in the West Indies. The type locality according to Bonnaterre (1790:11) is "La Martinique".[2]
Description[edit]
It measures 1.50 to 2 m long (5 feet long). Its color is brown, black and gray.
Behavior[edit]
As ambush predators, Martinique lancehead typically wait patiently somewhere for unsuspecting prey to wander by. It is known to select a specific ambush site and return to it every year in time for the spring migration of birds. Studies have indicated these snakes learn to improve their strike accuracy over time.
Diet[edit]
All of the various species are carnivorous, and eat other animals. Their diet primarily changes based on how large the snake is and where the snake lives. Larger individuals can feed on larger prey, while smaller species must eat smaller prey items. Martinican pit vipers hunt rats, mice, birds, rabbits, lizards, frogs, snakes, bats, and more.
Reproduction[edit]
With few exceptions, crotalines are ovoviviparous, meaning that the embryos develop within eggs that remain inside the mother's body until the offspring are ready to hatch, at which time the hatchlings emerge as functionally free-living young. In such species, the eggshells are reduced to soft membranes that the young shed, either within the reproductive tract, or immediately after emerging.
Venom[edit]
The venom has toxins that can cause clotting, and bleeding in humans, as well as muscle damage and swelling.
Vexillological trivia[edit]
The species is depicted on the unofficial flag of Martinique, one of the few examples (the Gadsden flag and the First Navy Jack of the United States, and the Flag of Mexico being others) of snakes being depicted on flags.
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Dewynter, M. (2019). "Bothrops lanceolatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T50957018A50957026. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T50957018A50957026.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.
- ^ a b c Bothrops lanceolatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 14 May 2021.
- ^ Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
- ^ "Bothrops lanceolatus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
Further reading[edit]
- Bonnaterre, J. 1790. Tableau encyclopédique et methodique des trois règnes de la nature, Ophiologie. Panckoucke. Paris. xliv + 76 pp. + plates A., 1.- 42. ("C[oluber]. Lanceolatus", p. 10.)
External links[edit]
Data related to Bothrops lanceolatus at Wikispecies
