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Controlling an overpopulation of fer-de-lance
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by Nofangfan on November 18, 2005
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Gentlemen; (and ladies if any!)
I have been building a house in the mountains of Costa Rica and have had numerous encounters with the fer-de-lance. There have been many sitings and on two occasions the snake has come into the house while the workers were there. I have a guard watching the construction that had one come into the room where he was getting ready to sleep.
Anyhow, if anyone out there could give me any advice on how to control this apparent overpopulation of fer-de-lance it would be greatly appreciated. I have done a little research and see that the mussurana snake is a natural predator. Do you think if I obtain a number of these snakes and let them loose on the property it would do any good? The property consists of rainforrest and part pasture.
Thanks for any suggestions. Yeah, I have snakeboots!
Gringo Bob
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RE: Controlling an overpopulation of fer-de-lance
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by keyz on November 18, 2005
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Right now there is not any over population of Bothrops anywhere its just that YOU are invading on them suggest to get the hell outta there before you cant try understanding snakes a bit more and maybe you might just get a hand with some re-location as they SHOULD not be PERSECUTED by a few scared individuals that would surely have known about the local poulation of SNAKES. wont bother signing you can see who I am.
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RE: Controlling an overpopulation of fer-de-lance
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by spongebobnopants on November 18, 2005
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I think this post is one not to be considered accurate. Keys, what in the hell is wrong with you?
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RE: Controlling an overpopulation of fer-de-lance
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by Phobos on November 18, 2005
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Well I see you got a warm welcome ;-)
Here's what I would do:
First, they are not Fer-de lances, they are called Terciopelo, Bothrops asper in scientific terms.
Second, If you keep the food population low, and don't make a rodent/snake friendly habitat, they won't hang around.
Three, Place small dishes of Moth Balls (Paradichlorobenzene) around outside your house, it will act as a repellent.
Four, Get used to them and peacefully co-exsist. More people are bitten trying to capture/kill a venomous snakes than if they were just left alone. They are serious snakes, with abilities to think on how to best get you, so best to leave them alone.
Al
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RE: Controlling an overpopulation of fer-de-lance
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by Chris_Harper on November 18, 2005
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If some of you don't think that waking up with a Bothrops asper in the bed with you is a problem, then you are off your rocker. But Phobos is right. Nofangfan has moved into the middle of Terciopelo heaven and he should expect them to be a part of his life. Their reproductive rate is phenomenal and they have huge litters of babies. As long as food is plentiful, they will continue to show up, big and small.
He should build his house as snakeproof as possible, and ALWAYS wear knee-high snake boots when outside. If not, it's just a matter of time. Personally, I'd probably ALWAYS have a set of tongs in my hand, not just for catching snakes, but also if I wanted to pick something up off of the ground! Being bitten by a Terciopelo is last on my list of things I want to do in my life.
Since he has chosen to put his house in a place where Terciopelo is one of the greatest threats to life and limb, he should spend a great deal of time researching every possible thing he can about them. You can only avoid them if you know their habits. I can't imagine trying to live someplace like that without being "snake aware".
~CH
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RE: Controlling an overpopulation of fer-de-lance
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by MattHarris on November 18, 2005
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I just don't even know where to begin with this one...
1) Good luck, but you're likely to lose your mind tryign to eradicate a snake, that has perfected the art of adaptation to ANY habitat!!
2) Unless you have a pile of collared peccaries herds around, you're not likely to get rid of snakes( and believe me, I'd rather take a terciopelo bite than a bite from a peccary...I know of two people bitten on the Osa Peninsula recently, and it was nasty!!)
3) Terciopelo are very shy creatures if left unmolested....yeah, the small ones strike like banshees, but they're not as bad as they're made out to be.
4) IF, you run into any matabuey...Email me!! I'd like to come visit you and hike the surrounding hills!!
MCH
www.matabuey.com
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RE: Controlling an overpopulation of fer-de-lance
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by Nofangfan on November 18, 2005
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Just got back in and was dissappointed to see first response to my querry. I am not a snake lover nor do I hate snakes. Yes they scare me. But I dont kill them when I see them. I know most snakes do more good than harm. Thanks for being the first to respond in a mature way. Guess my "nofangfan" handle upset his day! Thats OK with me.
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RE: Controlling an overpopulation of fer-de-lance
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by Nofangfan on November 18, 2005
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Thank you for the best advice yet. I know there is no way to eliminate the threat. I just want to keep it at a minimum. Many of my friends have small children and I feel it is only responsible to try and maintain as safe an environment as possible, especially close to the house. Thanks again for the mothball advice. I will use it.
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RE: Controlling an overpopulation of fer-de-lance
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by MattHarris on November 18, 2005
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To give you an idea....In Corcovado N.P., specifically around the Sirena Bio Station, there aren't a terrible large number of snakes. They are there, but not in great numbers. The reason is believed to be because within the park boundaries, there is no hunting, and thus the White-lipped peccary is thriving. IF you go up in the hills, there are more snakes(fortunately for the black headed bushmaster).
Now, if you go outside of the park, for example down the coast in the hills near Dos Brazos, Rio Nuevo, etc., there are fewer collared peccaries and more snakes, since there is still illegal hunting that goes on and keeps the peccaries in check. They (peccaries) seem to be one of the primary controls of snake populations, more so than even birds of prey---and there are tons of forest falcons, roadside hawks, etc...down there.
MCH
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RE: Controlling an overpopulation of fer-de-lance
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by Nofangfan on November 18, 2005
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Hi Chris
Thanks for responding in a nice way to my query regarding the fer-de-lance, oops, "terciopelo" problem I am encountering in Costa Rica. As someone who knows absolutely nothing about snakes, I have become worried and am only trying to keep myself, family and friends safe. As you know these snakes (I guess all snakes) are damn hard to see. Most of the adults are careful but I still worry and mostly about the young ones that like to visit the farm. I do no farming just some vegetables for personal use, so I guess the forest provides well for the snake population. Thats to be expected. After hearing from you that understand snakes, sounds like I just need to be careful, wear my boots and put out some mothballs!
Thanks. Oh yeah, my mother went to UGA too. I love Ga. and have a few friends there. Good luck to you.
Gringo Bob from Florida
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