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Snakes - Central America

Snakes- either you love them or you hate them; and if you hate them, you're fascinated by them. Come have a look...
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This is an example of a young Salmon-bellied Racer (<i>Mastigodryas melanolomus</i>). They display a light brown base color with darker brown blotches alternating on the back and sides of the body. As if this wasn't enough attention grabbing contrast, the lower lip and chin have a striking black and white pattern that fades with age. The juveniles do not yet show the name-sake salmon-colored belly that the adults display.
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This is an example of a young Salmon-bellied Racer (Mastigodryas melanolomus). They display a light brown base color with darker brown blotches alternating on the back and sides of the body. As if this wasn't enough attention grabbing contrast, the lower lip and chin have a striking black and white pattern that fades with age. The juveniles do not yet show the name-sake salmon-colored belly that the adults display.

Mastigodryas melanolomussalmon bellied racerrara avis rainforest reservecosta ricaontogenetic color change

  • The Lower-montane Green Racer (<i>Drymobius melanotropis</i>) is a gorgeous snake that inhabits mid-elevation undisturbed rainforests. Of all the green colored snakes that I've encountered, this juvenile is my favorite.
  • The aptly named Eyelash Viper (<i>Bothriechis schlegelii</i>) comes in a variety of colors. This gold phase is locally called "oropel", which loosely translates to: "gold skin".
  • The Dwarf Bromeliad Boa (<i>Ungaliophis panamensis</i>) is one of the least seen snake species in Costa Rica. They are thought to spend the majority of their time in the forest canopy among the dense epiphyte community.
  • It has been pouring rain for the past 5km of this hike up the side of the mountain. My 40lbs pack and boots are holding what feels like an extra 10lbs of water, and my rain jacket is doing nothing more than attempting to break the wind whipping up the face of Cerro Chompipe- it's cold at almost 2200m. And then out of nowhere, this little package of reassurance shows herself to me, a reminder that I'm on the right path... Black-speckled Palm Viper (<I>Bothriechis nigroviridis</i>)
  • This Green Parrot Snake (<i>Leptophis ahaetulla</i>) is more bluff than bite. Though, with those enlarged rear fangs and mild venom it's best to play it safe with this species. This defensive display, termed: gaping, is characteristic of most <i>Leptophis</i> species here in Costa Rica
  • Side-striped Palm Pitviper (<i>Bothriechis lateralis</i>) A highland species of viper from the montane rainforest of Costa Rica
  • Side-striped Palm Pitviper (<i>Bothriechis lateralis</i>) A highland species of viper from the montane rainforest of Costa Rica
  • Annulated Tree Boas (<i>Corallus annulatus</i>) can be a challenge to photograph due to their smooth, flat lying scales causing copious amounts of iridescence. However, this iridescence is one of the characteristics that makes them so stunning. I found that the dappled sunlight coupled with a small amount of fill flash provided enough contrast while still retaining some of the "natural" look of the snake.
  • Lichen-colored snaileaters (<I>Sibon longifrenis</i>) are among the most convincing arboreal viper mimics in the neotropics. The green coloration with the dark bordered orange/maroon ocelli on the dorsal surface, coupled with the reddish blotches and white coloration on the sides and venter is very reminiscent of the locally common Eyelash Viper (<i>Bothriechis schlegelli</i>). This neonate was a mere four inches long.
  • This Annulated Tree Boa (<i>Corallus annulatus</i>) was just over 5ft in length.
  • Salmon-bellied Racers (<i>Mastigodryas melanolomus</i>) are an active diurnal snake that feed primarily on frogs and lizards. This specimen was almost completely into its mature coloration. A bit of the juvenile pattern can still been seen in the form of faded dorsal blotching on the snake's neck and anterior body. The next photo depicts a juvenile Salmon-bellied Racer; it is easy to see the difference.
  • This is an example of a young Salmon-bellied Racer (<i>Mastigodryas melanolomus</i>). They display a light brown base color with darker brown blotches alternating on the back and sides of the body. As if this wasn't enough attention grabbing contrast, the lower lip and chin have a striking black and white pattern that fades with age. The juveniles do not yet show the name-sake salmon-colored belly that the adults display.
  • A closeup shot of a subadult Annulated Tree Boa (<i>Corallus annulatus</i>)
  • A silhouetted Dwarf Bromeliad Boa (<i>Ungaliophis panamensis</i>)
  • Brown vine snakes (<i>Oxybelis aeneus</i>) are rear-fanged, mildly venomous snakes that can often be found hunting lizards along forest edges and other sun drenched areas.
  • People often ask me what rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous) means- well, here you go, a picture is worth 1000 words.. Brown Vine Snakes (<i>Oxybelis aeneus</i>) have very well developed "fangs" on the posterior maxilla. While they lack a true active injection system, they have a rather potent "mild venom" that they work into their prey as they chew. As my good friend Twan once told me, "They're fine, just don't let them chew on you for a while".
  • The beautiful and iconic Eyelash Palm Pitviper, need I say more? Their common name is derived from the presence of enlarged superciliary scales above each eye that are said to resemble eyelashes. The function of these protuberances are not yet fully understood, though there are many theories to explain this distinctive morphology.
  • If you had to look twice at this photo before you figured out what was happening don't feel bad. If you're not familiar with this species and its habits, it can be a bit tricky on the eyes. Yes, this is a snake eating another snake, tail first. Ophiophagy is a very common occurrence in the tropics; it is defined as a specialized form of feeding or alimentary behavior of animals which hunt and eat snakes. And it is especially common in snakes. This is a Central American False Coral Snake (<i>Erythrolamprus mimus</i>) consuming a centipede snake (<i>Tantilla alticola</i>). The false coral has a wonderful and poorly understood venom which is a cocktail of both hemo and neurotoxins.
  • This Tiger Ratsnake (<i>Spilotes pullatus</i>) from Costa Rica inflates itself as a denfensive behavior. The idea is to make yourself look bigger and meaner...it worked. This individual was already just a few inches shy of eight feet in total length.
  • A fine specimen of Ebony Keelback (<i>Chironius grandisquamis</I>). This genus of snake is aptly named for a rigid "keel" that runs the length of their spine. This individual was found in the northern Caribbean foothills of Costa Rica. Specimens from the southern pacific part of the country exhibit a blue-ish coloration, darker tongue, and a completely creme colored venter. With genetic testing, they may prove to be a separate species all together.
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