Norberto Solano, Marco Aguilar- Owner of Bushmaster Buenavista Serpentarium, Roy and Miguel Solano

These guys are the best guides in Costa Rica hands down they have assisted world renown herpetologists such as Alejandro Solorzano, Mark O'Shea, William Lamar, Dean Ripa and collected the snakes for NBC's "Get Me Out of Here". Contact Roy if you would like to get in touch with them.

Eyelash Viper, Bothriechis schlegelii

Look at the size of this Fer-de-Lance, Bothrops asper, a female measuring at 5' 10". Locally known as the "Terciopelo", the Fer-de-lance is the most feared snake in costa Rica due to its aggressive nature and size. It is responsible for 46% of all bites in Costa Rica. Bites from this species result in severe local necrosis if untreated. Deaths are rare due to the availability of an effective antivenom.

Bothrops asper

Bothrops asper

Marco Aguilar tries out a prototype hook developed for Roy by Dana Savorelli of Midwest tongs. The extension over the top of the hook prevents the snake from coming back on the handler. It was found to be very useful for handling the Fer-de-Lance.

Roy shows Norberto how to safely tube a Fer-de-Lance

Roy hooking a Central American Bushmaster, Lachesis stenophrys, in the field. This one was about 6ft.

Lachesis stenophrys

Lachesis stenophrys

Ideal Lachesis habitat. The Bushmaster often uses the burrows of small mammals and
lives at higher elevations above streams.

Tropical Rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus

Atropoides nummifer, the Mexican Jumping Pit Viper

Central American Coral snake, Micrurus nigrocinctus

Central American Coral snake, Micrurus nigrocinctus

Spilotes pullatus, locally called the Mica or Oriel Snake

Miguel Solano shows the results of surviving a bite from a Bushmaster, a mean fasciotomy scar-
note the loss of muscle tissue

Dendrobates auratus, the green and black poison dart frog

Dendrobates pumilio, the strawberry poison dart frog

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