fer-de-lance

fer-de-lance

fer-de-lance , highly poisonous snake, Bothrops atrox, found in tropical South America and the West Indies. A pit viper , related to the bushmaster and the rattlesnake, it has heat-sensitive organs on the head for detecting its warm-blooded prey. Usually about 5 to 6 ft (150–180 cm) long, the fer-de-lance may reach a maximum length of about 9 ft (3 m). It is gray or brown with light stripes and dark diamond markings and has a yellow throat. Common throughout most of its range, it causes many human fatalities. It is classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Reptilia, order Squamata, family Crotalidae.

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"fer-de-lance." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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fer de lance

fer de lance / ˌferdlˈans; -ˈäns/ • n. (pl. fers de lance / ˌfer(z)-/ or fer de lances ) a large and dangerous pit viper (genus Bothrops) native to Central and South America.

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"fer de lance." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"fer de lance." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-ferdelance.html

"fer de lance." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-ferdelance.html

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