|
1-6 of 6 messages
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
Lachesis stenophrys?
|
Reply
|
|
by birdbob on May 14, 2011
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Please check out photo #121 in "Snakes for Identification". Information on why or why not this is a juvenile L. stenophrys would be very helpful.
|
| |
|
RE: Lachesis stenophrys?
|
Reply
|
|
by Cro on May 26, 2011
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi Robert,
Thanks for filling out your profile.
Sounds like you have had some great experiences.
As far as the great photo of the juvenile Bushmaster, yes that is what it is.
The way you asked the question though, as to why, or why not it is a bushmaster, makes it more interesting to try to explain.
It is kind of showing someone a photo of a dog, and asking as to why, or, why not, the animal is a dog, LOL.
But, I will try. The snake has a pattern that is unique to the bushmasters, with the diamond shapes going down the back, and the side stripes where the diamonds extend down toward the belly. The brownish background coloration, could throw folks off some, as that is the juvenile coloration, and will change to be more "yellowish" as the snake gets larger. The large head and head "shape" is very distinctive to the bushmasters, and quite a bit different from many other pit vipers, if examined closely. The distinctive dark stripe that extends from the eye, to the back of the jaw. Also, the tip of the tail, that tapers to a very "hard" point, that is uniquely scaled. Put all of those parts together, and you have a bushmaster !
Robert, if you are on Facebook, search for my Group titled "Bushmasters - Genus Lachesis" and you will find numerous photos of the different bushmasters, both juvenile and adult. And, please post your excellent photo in the group site. Also, send me a Friend request, as we have a large venomous snake community over there, and I am sure many folks would enjoy seeing your photos.
Best Regards
John Zegel
|
| |
|
RE: Lachesis stenophrys?
|
Reply
|
|
by birdbob on May 26, 2011
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi John,
Thanks for your response. I guess the engineer in me always wants to know the hows and whys, whether it is a dog or a snake. I have Jay Savage's "The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica" and find it helpful but there were no pictures of juveniles and the book said the tongue was black. In one of my other photos the tongue was visible and it was more of a flesh/orange color with a darker tip. I also considered A. picadoi and A. nummifer but the head markings didn't jive and I believe both of these species are chunkier. Savage's book said that with these snakes the downward facing triangles sometimes merge with the lateral spots. This would, to me, appear 'bushmaster-like. Also confusing to me was the snake labeled "Picado's Jumping Pit Viper" on a laminated sheet of 'Reptiles of the La Fortuna Reserve' that I saw in Panama. I think the snake is really a juvenile L. stenophrys. I met the author of this sheet and reptile/amphibians books and plan to email him to find out if this is the case. I will be in San Jose for a few days and want to visit a museum or someplace that has captive Costa Rican snakes to get a better feel for structure and patterns. There is nothing like real "hands on" experience to increase one's knowledge and understanding.
I am not on Facebook, but I have been condidering it. If and when I do join I will definitely consider your suggestions. I will be back in NJ next week for an extended stay and may join then.
I plan to "Ask the Experts" about snake gaiters soon.
Regards,
Bob
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
