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Correct name for the Fer-de-lance
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by leucostoma on February 19, 2006
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I was taught that the Fer-de-lance lives only on the isle of Martinique and has the scientific name of Bothrops lancelatus. But the snake that is being called the "Fer-de-lance" seems to be the Barba amarilla a.k.a. yellow beard, terciopelo or velvet skin. Would you be so kind as to help clear up what seems to be a taxonomic confusion. I teach herpetology and want my students to get the most accurate information available.
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RE: Correct name for the Fer-de-lance
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by lanceheads on February 19, 2006
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The Martinque snake IS the original Fer-de-Lance.
Bothrops atrox and B. asper are INCORRECTLTY called Fer-de-Lance.
Snakes (Bothrops ssp) found on the mainland are common lanceheads.
Randal Berry
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RE: Correct name for the Fer-de-lance
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by JHarrison on February 20, 2006
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The St. Lucians also call them Fer de Lance. Of course, St. Lucia is only about 30 miles from Martinique and was also a French colony (though they are independent now) so the French influence is strong there also. It is a different species on St. Lucia, Bothrops caribbaeus.
The history of the name is as Randal said. Common names are so confusing! I think more Americans call any lancehead viper a Fer de Lance than anyone in the country of origin of the snake does.
Jim Harrison
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RE: Correct name for the Fer-de-lance
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by toddg on February 20, 2006
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I'ts my understanding that your teachings are correct. Bothrops lanceolatus is the real Fer-de-Lance. Why people misslable the mainland lanceheads is beyond my comprehension. Perhaps, for some people, referring to a large lancehead as a Fer-de-Lance is the same as someone from North America referring to a crotalid as a rattlesnake. It's not very specific but it gets the job done.
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RE: Correct name for the Fer-de-lance
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by LarryDFishel on February 20, 2006
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I guess I'm somewhat confused. Several people have made comments similar to "why do people insiston on calling lanceheads by the name fer-de-Lance?"
"Fer de lance", directly translated from the french means "Iron of the Lance"...in other words "lancehead".
I imagine there's a French influence in many of the areas where they occur. It certainly sounds reasonable to me for people there to use "fer-de-lance" for what we call a lancehead. Or is it the use by English speakers that you object to, because you see using the French to give a different meaning?
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RE: Correct name for the Fer-de-lance
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by rthom on February 20, 2006
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Ok correct me what is the correct common name of the
Bothrops atrox and B.asper ?
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RE: Correct name for the Fer-de-lance
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by Cro on February 20, 2006
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The Common Name for Bothrops atrox is the Common lancehead.
The Common Name for Bothrops asper is the Terciopelo.
JohnZ
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RE: Correct name for the Fer-de-lance
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by toddg on February 21, 2006
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Larry, I don't think it would be an issue if the name "Fer-de Lance was frequently used to describe all lance heads. In fact, it is used to describe (as far as I know) just three; asper, atrox, and lanceolatus. Now, if you want to use the name Fer-de-Lance to describe all lance heads, fine. As I stated earlier, "rattlesnke" is often used to describe all rattlesnakes. If you however, use the name "Fer-de-Laance" to describe a specific species, then thats were it becomes CONFUSING to people who are trying to learn about snakes. Hence this topic. Incidently I've consulted two dictionaries and both define a Fer-de-Lance as, species specific, Bothrops atrox. Other books also list as either asper, atrox, or lanceolatus. All specific species, thus adding the confusion.
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RE: Correct name for the Fer-de-lance
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by Cro on February 21, 2006
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It would seem that others are not happy with the confusion caused by the term ``Fer-de-lance,`` even though the Martinique snake is the original Fer-de-Lance, as stated by Randal.
Jonathan Campbell and William Lamar, in their ``The Vemomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere,``call Bothrops lanceolatus the ``Martinique lancehead`` instead of ``Fer-de-lance.``
On page 396 of Volume I, they have this to say: ``The popular name fer-de-lance has often been applied to mainland forms such as Bothrops asper and B. atrox and has become moderately entrenched in the English language. Apparently, the term was coined by Lacepede when he descriped B. lanceolatus, as he allegedly disliked the vernacular name vipere jaune. Thus, while the name fer-de-lance applies strictly to the Martinique species, it has no vernacular value and has never been used on the island.``
Best Regards
JohnZ
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