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Help identifying Honduran snake
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by LaGringa on July 3, 2007
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Hello everyone,
I live in La Ceiba, Honduras, and we are increasingly finding snakes on our property that I can't identify. I just uploaded a photo of the latest one to the snake identification section.
At first I thought this one might be the barba amarilla (Bothrops asper) but after looking at several photos on the internet, I don't think that is the case. Any help in identifying this snake would be greatly appreciated.
The custom here in Honduras is to immediately kill any and all snakes found. I recognize the importance of snakes to the environment and do not wish to kill them unless they are truly a danger to our workers or our dogs (I have 6, 5 are chihuahuas). However, because there are so many dangerous snakes here, unless I can quickly identify them, they are likely to meet the fate of the machete. In this case, the snake was saved and thrown down to the wild jungle/creek area behind our house.
Can anyone recommend any sites which might be helpful to a novice in identifying Central American snakes? I have found some sites, but most depend upon knowing the scientific name before viewing the photo. Others seem very limited in the types of snakes being identified. A site in which you can quickly view thumbnail photos would be ideal.
I have a few photos of snakes on my blog that we have found (most are dead I'm very sorry to say) and a video taken last week of a snake eating a frog if you are interested. Search for "snake" at http://lagringasblogicito.blogspot.com/
I'm afraid that this will be upsetting to snake lovers so I ask you to please consider that most of the people here are uneducated and the likelihood of finding a doctor with any knowledge of how to treat snake bites is slim.
Sorry this is so long. I'll appreciate any help that you can give me.
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RE: Help identifying Honduran snake
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by Chris_Harper on July 3, 2007
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Your photo is posted in the "Snakes for Identification" photo album and I have turned it over to the group to ID.
The URL for anyone that wants to see it is:
http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libraries/download/5879/DSCN0168.jpg
CH
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RE: Help identifying Honduran snake
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by LarryDFishel on July 3, 2007
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I can say that it is definitely NOT a Baraba Amarilla or any related snake. The round pupils rule out any kind of viper.
I'm pretty sure it will turn out to be a completely harmless colubrid, but wait for a positive ID from soemone else before you assume that.
It sure is doing a good job of mimicing the patern of a Barba Amarilla, so I can understand how most people wouldn't think twice about killing it...
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RE: Help identifying Honduran snake
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by FLherp on July 3, 2007
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It appears to be a false fer-de-lance (Xenodon rabdocephalus). See link - http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/guatemala/images/Xenodon_rabdocephalus.JPG
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RE: Help identifying Honduran snake
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by Cro on July 3, 2007
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LaGringa, I would agree with Jeffrey in that the snake is the False Fer-de-lance, or False Terciopelo, (Xenodon rabdocephalus). These snakes are found in Central America and into South America, and are harmless to humans.
The images posted at "Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Guatemala" mentioned by Jeffrey at http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/guatemala/ is a very good reference, however, there are no thumbnail images, so you have to look at the photos one at at time. Most of the snakes found in Guatemala are also found in Honduras.
There is really not a very good web reference for you to learn the snakes of your area, however, there are several books that you might look for that cover most of the snakes of your area. Many of these books are available from Amazon.com in used condition, at reduced prices. Look for these volumes:
"Amphibians and Reptiles of La Selva, Costa Rica and the Caribbean Slope" by Guyer and Donnelly.
"The Amphibians and Reptiles of the Yucatan Peninsula" by Lee.
"Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Guatemala, the Yucatan, and Belize" by Campbell.
"Snakes of Costa Rica" by Solorzano.
Of course, you can always post good quality photos at our site here, and let us try to help.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Help identifying Honduran snake
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by LaGringa on July 3, 2007
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Thank you all so much for your help in identifying this snake, and the site and book recommendations. Once you gave me the name I found some other photos and it definitely looks to be the right one. This photo in the Snakes of Colombia site looks like my snake's twin brother:
http://tinyurl.com/2wzx9d
It's a relief to know that it isn't venomous.
In my searching, I came across two sites that have lots of snake photos that I thought some of you might be interested in, if you don't already know about them.
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/pictures/Serpentes.html
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/fauna/sci-Reptile.html
Thanks also for the offer to identify future snakes. I may have to take you up on that!
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RE: Help identifying Honduran snake
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by LarryDFishel on July 3, 2007
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Also, I can't vouch for the book since I've never seen it, but while trying to find your snake I saw quite a few references to "Snakes of Honduras" by Larry David Wilson. Amazon.com also has some used listings for this one.
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RE: Help identifying Honduran snake
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by Cro on July 4, 2007
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Greg and Larry, the book "Snakes of Honduras" by Larry David Wilson is quite dated, 27 years old, and has few usefull photos and outdated scientific names. That is why I did not list it as being usefull.
A much newer, and much more usefull book for that region is:
"The Amphibians and Reptiles of the Honduran Mosquitia" by James R. McCranie, Josiah H. Townsend, and Larry David Wilson.
Unfortunatly, it costs $65.00 new, and is not available in the used market yet.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Help identifying Honduran snake
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by Cro on July 9, 2007
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LaGringa, there is a copy of the book SERPIENTES VENENOSAS DE HONDURAS for sale on EBAY. The item # is 140094104170.
Just thought you might be interested, however, I can not speak as to the quality of the book, because I have never seen a copy before.
Best Regards JohnZ
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