Terciopelo (Fer-de-lance), a dangerous and highly venomous pit viper from Latin America

The Terciopelo (Bothrops asper), also called the Fer-de-lance, is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. It bites many people in Latin America as it copes well with habitat alteration and is commonly found in fields and plantations. This pit viper finds plenty of prey in such places. A bite from this snake is a medical emergency as it has a potent venom. Terciopelos sometimes strike when they feel threatened. This is the most medically significant snake species in Central America.

[OchoVerde]

One of the most impressive pit vipers on the planet!

[springtwigz]

I love the pink velvety coloration that some of those vipers display!❤
One thing I really appreciate of your videos is that there are no human voices(most of the time) which is really calming and helps me take in the beauty of nature! Thank you!😊

[johnbrand]

Fascinating video, you both have a fascinating life full of adventures into your chosen subject, you are both very professional, brave, skilled in what you do, and most of all dedicated and I thank you both for these various snake species you take the time to show and inform your audience and subscribers on your channel. 👏

[chipcurry]

Beautiful presentation! I have a friend who was bitten by one of these snakes in Costa Rica. She was walking down to a river which she walked near many times and felt the pain in her foot. She never saw the snake. Vanished. It took her several months to recover from the bite. The thing left a very small gash.

[joegarza]

Many years ago a smart chemist turned one protein from the Terciopelo's venom into the very first ACE inhibitor. I hope you add that factoid to your video.

[glennhynes]

Pit Vipers are some of the most beautiful animals. Awesome video, as usual.

[krisbeasley]

Your work with venomous snakes is incredible. I’m absolutely captivated by your videos. This snakes venom has to be the most destructive in the region. It literally melts the flesh and bone where the venom is injected.

[michaelhelfrich]

Excellent work. Thanks to both of you.

[christophersmith]

Asper is THE most deadly snake in the America's. Great expose!

[carl]

That jungle at night looks rather unsettling. Thanks for bringing us Bothrops 👍🙏

[drsukruozbagci]

Dear Matei and Suzanna I appreciate your videos and contributions to zoology. You should also come to my country, Türkiye to see the viper varieties which are also those of most dangerous and venomous in the world. Greetings from Ankara!

[luvcats]

Wonderful video, thank you! I wonder how close you have to get to these specimens to get these wonderful videos and if it makes them rattle their tails out of nervousness/anxiety? I really love your videos and I’ve never been a fan of snakes! ❤❤❤

[simonjourno]

Brilliant video ! Very impressive and important work well done

[J.DPANTS]

The venom of the Fer-De-Lance is so potent that Didelphine Opossums (i.e., Opossums like the Virginia Opossum), which are normally immune to the venom of Pit Vipers and Rattlesnakes, are still capable of succumbing to the venom of this snake. This is especially the case if the Opossum is not fully grown (and thus the venom is more concentrated per gram). Indeed, the extremely potent venom of B. Asper has been suggested to have evolved as part of an evolutionary arms race between these snakes and Didelphine Opossums, as a defensive adaptation to prevent predation by Opossums, an adaptation that allowed Fer-De-Lances to prey on large Opossums, or both

[robertbos]

Thanks, you make a meaningful contribution to biodiversity protection and promotion - snakes, a highly misunderstood group in the animal kingdom

[FischerFan]

This snake is to the New World tropics what the Puff Adder is to Africa. Both are feared and responsible for the majority of snake bites within their respective ranges.
They both have a cytotoxin that causes the worst necrosis you can imagine.
Congrats on yet another well done video.

[robertbos]

Great video. I lived in Costa Rica several years and visited rain forest regularly but never saw one in the wild. Someone mentioned "velvety" and that is exactly the meaning of the word terciopelo: velvet!

[BadenBattleBase]

Amazing footage! Never even heard of this impressive snake before.

[chantalbarry]

Belle vipère veineineux attention à vous Félicitations BRAVO 👏👍👍👍❤❤❤

[flaviob]

Dear Mattew and Darling Suzanna I appreciate in extreme glory yours' video about Snakes without emphasis and without excessive indulge in the dangerousness of them. Good jobs. So... I ask a qustion: Is more defensive and dangerous Daboia russelli or Bothrops asper?