St. Lucian Fer de Lance

St. Lucian fer de lance comes in different names though pertains to the same animal only, St. Lucia lancehead or St. Lucia Pit Viper. It is a species of venomous snake found only in the West Indies. Fer de lance is one of the five species of snakes found in the island.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS

Bothrops caribbaeus can grow up to seven feet in total length. They are characterized by a sharp rostrum and an unelevated snout. The color varies from gray to gray-brown, with an irregular stripe on the temporal part of the head. They also have gray and brown markings on the mid-dorsal part that fade towards the sides. Their underside is always very pale yellow. The large triangular head contains poison glands. They live primarily on coastal areas and are rarely seen on places elevated above 600 feet. 

Most of the species are nocturnal, meaning they are commonly seen active during the night, but some are found active during the day on higher altitudes. They are terrestrial, though they are able to climb trees. 

This snake’s population generally showed a relative decline in population over the last fifty years and at present, they can only be found on two portions on the island. Decline in population is primarily due to the attitude of locals in the island to exterminate it due to its dangerous venom. Typical symptoms of this snake’s envenomation include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, bleeding of nose and gums, swelling of the bitten extremity, and burning pain. There can also be discoloration on the bite site and rashes may develop. 

One of the saddling news about the serpents’ (as the locals call it) current situation is that majority of St. Lucia’s wildlife is under the protection of Saint Lucia Wildlife Protection Act of 1980 while fer de lance is not.