Amazon False Fer-de-lance
Xenodon rabdocephalus
A harmless, viper-mimicking colubrid of the Amazon that flattens its head into a triangular shape to fool predators into thinking it is a dangerous pit viper.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.5-0.9 m (1.6-3 ft)
- Range
- Amazon Basin and Central America
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Overview
The Amazon False Fer-de-lance is a small dipsadid colubrid that has evolved a remarkable defensive mimicry strategy, flattening and widening its head to resemble the triangular shape of true fer-de-lance pit vipers.
Despite this alarming disguise, it is only mildly venomous with rear fangs and poses no real danger to humans, relying instead on bluff to deter predators.
How to identify it
- Brown, tan, or grayish body with darker blotches or crossbands
- Head can be flattened and widened dramatically into a triangular shape when threatened, mimicking pit vipers
- Round pupils, unlike the vertical pupils of true pit vipers, when the head is not flared
- Stout body relative to length
- Lacks heat-sensing pits and the long hinged fangs of true vipers
Habitat & range
Found in lowland and premontane moist forest across the Amazon Basin and parts of Central America, typically on the forest floor among leaf litter, from sea level to moderate elevations.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal, foraging on the ground for frogs and toads, its preferred prey. When threatened, it flattens its head and body and may strike in a dramatic bluff display, though bites are not medically significant to humans. Egg-laying species.
Frequently asked questions
How does it mimic a viper?
It flattens and widens its head into a triangular shape and puffs its body to resemble a dangerous pit viper.
Is it actually dangerous?
No, it is only mildly venomous and not considered dangerous to humans.
What does it eat?
Mainly frogs and toads.
How can you tell it from a real pit viper?
It lacks heat-sensing facial pits and has round pupils, unlike true pit vipers.
Amazon False Fer-de-lance guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Amazon False Fer-de-lance.
