The Fer-De-Lance, one of the largest and deadliest of poisonous snakes hangs out in Central America, where it is most common. However it can also be found in South America and the West Indies.

It is known by it's velvet type scales and rich brown and gray color, accentuated by dark cross bands. It's head is the typical triangular shape of poisonous snakes and is distinguished by  a yellow throat. Growing to 8 feet, it is the most feared snake in Costa Rica!

Their typical diet consists of frogs, lizards, birds and small mammals, at birth they have fangs and can give a poisonous bite.

Along with  rattlesnakes, water moccasins, coral snakes and a variety of others, this type of snake gives one a very good reason to purchase a good quality "snake boot", or snake guards.

Rattlesnakes are probably the primary reason that cowboy boots were invented, they provided the early, as well as the present day cowpoke protection against such varmints!

Besides protecting Wyatt Earp, and others from wayward bullets,and cactus, they provided adequate protection from rattlers as well.

While cowboy boots will probably protect one from a rattler, when traveling to another country where a Fer-De-Lance,coral snake, or Taipen Viper may be encountered, a high quality snake boot should be acquired.

Rattlesnakes are sometime deadly,however deaths attributed to rattlesnakes amount to only about 10 per year.  Taipens or Fer-De-Lance strikes are almost always deadly, with death coming as quickly as 15 minutes after a bite, giving no time for medical attention,especially if one is at 25th and Plum. Twenty five miles out and plum in the boonies! This makes the death rate extremely higher in other parts of the world.

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Many companies like LaCrosse, Chippewa, and Red Wing provide them. A good alternative is an item called snake guards which strap on like shin guards that baseball players use. They can provide protection without the bulkiness of boots, and can be quickly removed when not needed, such as stopping for some refreshment at an isolated pub!

There is no such thing as "specialized " snake boots, any boot will provide protection from any venomous snake,don't be taken in by a snake oil salesman trying to make an extra $200 on "Rattlesnake" boots.

Gary is a Travel Writer and Photographer