There are snakes in Costa Rica, unfortunately, and a fair amount are venomous. Luckily, we don't see too many around the grounds (six or seven snakes in six-plus years and only three have been poisonous).
There is a reason, however, that we warn people to stay on the trails when hiking around.
Miguel, who has worked here for eight years, came up close with a Fer-de-Lance the other day, while working on the trails. He called and asked us to come down to the bodega, where he had the snake laid out.
It was at least 6 feet long, and we actually weighed it with a luggage scale, and it came in at 4 pounds. Its head was as big as an adult's fist; the biggest anyone here has ever seen.
Miguel has worked in the jungles for years and admitted that he has never been afraid of the snakes in the past, though this one was different. The Fer-de-Lance is aggressive and if it feels threatened, it will attack, rather than retreat.
To top it off, Miguel forgot to bring a machete with him (everyone here always has a machete when working in the jungle). He was lucky enough to find a branch that he could break off and dispatch the snake. You could still see the splinters from the branch in the snake's neck and head.
It was off the trail, fortunately, where any guests wouldn't have seen it. However, a reminder that there are bigger and badder things out there in the rain forest.
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