Dipper said:Hi
I found this small forest floor snake near to Manzanillo on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica during an independent trip to the area in Feb-Mar this year. Can any of you put a name to it?
Dipper said:thanks for your replies. I had looked at pictures of the venomous snakes of CR and was quite confident this wasn't one of them so was quite happy to get up close and personal. A local guide did tell me it was one of the "rat snakes", but no species name. The trip was my most productive ever for snakes in the neotropics. Seven in all of 4 species, this one, plus four eyelash palm pit vipers (photos) a green vine snake plus a brown vine snake. On a previous visit to CR I managed one unidentified snake. In Ecuador last year 2 unidentified snakes, so I was very happy to id 3 of the 4 species in CR.
Adrian
Ranger James said:The eyelash palm pit viper must be one of the most beautiful animals in existance! Stunner, would love to see a shot.
James
Dipper said:As requested an eyelash palm pit viper. I met a US birder several times during my stay along the coast who was very interested in this particular species and let me know that they are very approachable and not aggressive. He was spot on. Someone will tell me now that they are aggressive. They are easy to find, these yellow types really stand out. There are 3 colour types if I remember correctly, I only saw the yellow.
I'm working on another trip report website, with birds, bugs and snakes plus rather a lot of beach shots, which should be ready in a few weeks.
Adrian
Ranger James said:Is it a kind of juve racer? Those huge eyes make me think youngster.
James
Dipper said:As requested an eyelash palm pit viper. I met a US birder several times during my stay along the coast who was very interested in this particular species and let me know that they are very approachable and not aggressive. He was spot on. Someone will tell me now that they are aggressive. They are easy to find, these yellow types really stand out. There are 3 colour types if I remember correctly, I only saw the yellow.
I'm working on another trip report website, with birds, bugs and snakes plus rather a lot of beach shots, which should be ready in a few weeks.
Adrian
LAF said:I would say that this is a jevenile of the genus Rhadinae, probably Rhadinae decorata. An image of the adult can be found HERE. Markings, scale type and forebody scale count seems consistent, as does the geographical location.
Regards, Lee.