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Another year in archaeology, another snake
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by Belryan on January 1, 2006
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So, some of you may recall a controversial thread I posted asking for help identifying a snake from Ecuador.. the pictures were kind of disturbing to many here, because one of the Ecuadorian guides we were working with had killed the two snakes. I apologize for offending anyone with those.
This little snake was in one of our bedrooms this summer in Nicaragua. One of the locals that was staying with us said it was not harmful, and he picked it up and put it outside. I am pretty sure it is a boa, but I was wondering if anyone knew for sure.
Thanks
Ryan
http://members.shaw.ca/jsrlee/nicasnake.jpg
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RE: Another year in archaeology, another snake
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by MoccasinMan on January 1, 2006
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I am not an expert with that locality, but it appears to be a juvenile tree boa.
Happy New Year,
Andrew
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RE: Another year in archaeology, another snake
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by Matt_H on January 2, 2006
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As you may have heard, it is very difficult to identify a snake from a photograph. From the image you posted, all that is clear is the size and pattern of the snake. The color appears to be a grayish or light tan with a bit of burnt orange or brown down the center of its back.
What cannot be seen are some of the main identifiers that would help narrow it down to a specific genus such as the tail which is somewhat hidden by the hand in the photo, caudal scales, the underside (belly) color and pattern, and a clear close up of the head which would be used to see the size, shape and color of the eyes, color & pattern on the head, type of scales on the head, and the number of labial scales. Without this information, an identification would be at best, a guess. Maybe an educated guess but still only a guess.
From what I can see in the photo I do not believe it is a venomous species, but I wouldn't commit to this. I don't believe it is a Cat-eyed snake because the pattern is not consistent with any Cat-eyed species I am aware of. Without a better image and close up of the head and underside of tail and belly I would be very hesitant to make an assumption. If you could possibly upload a better image with some of the points I mentioned, I'd be happy to look into it further.
Matt Heuser
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RE: Another year in archaeology, another snake
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by Snakeman1982 on January 2, 2006
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Trimorphodon biscatus dudes!!! Lyre snake.
Cool find. They should be pretty common throughout parts of Central America.
I don't have any of my field guides with me in Florida but I know we found one or two DORs in Costa Rica. Not sure where they are located in Nicaragua.
Good find!
Robert
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RE: Another year in archaeology, another snake
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by Snakeman1982 on January 2, 2006
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Hey Ryan,
I forgot to mention that Lyre snakes are not boas. There are some similar looking boas but that isn't one. Lyre snakes are colubrids but slightly venomous with enlarged rear teeth. So it would a hurt a bit if one bit you but they aren't dangerous at all.
Did it ever hiss at you? I caught several this summer in Arizona but one had a really neat temperment and was hissing and striking quite a bit.
Anyway, I believe there are several subspecies of this species but I don't know what any of them are off the top of my head. Let us know what other cool herps you find on your archaeology trips. Just try not to kill them please.
Robert
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RE: Another year in archaeology, another snake
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by MattHarris on January 2, 2006
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Yep...Good call Robert. Definitely Trimorph. I have one from Arizona, which is close but quite exact in appearance. I think they only occur in NW COsta Rica, so I would assume they inhabit the drier parts of Nicaragua as well.
MCH
www.matabuey.com
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RE: Another year in archaeology, another snake
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by Snakeman1982 on January 2, 2006
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Woops, I misspelled Trimorphodon biscutatus in my original message, lol.
Yeah, we found a DOR by the pacific coast west of Liberia. They also had a new specimen in a plastic container at Palo Verde N.P. that was a Trimorphodon biscutatus.
We actually found quite a few DORs in Costa Rica. One was an Atropoides mexicanus and I was so upset about not seeing one alive. We had been on that road the night before to. So if I would have known I would have just camped there all night in order to find one. But at least we got a couple Porthidium nasutum and Bothriechis schlegeli (green and yellow variants) to sort of make up for it.
We also got two cat-eyed snakes alive, Leptodeira annulata (at Palo Verde) and L. septentrionalis (at La Selva). I actually caught L. annulata in Bolivia last year and I wonder if they are going to split the species. The distribution appears pretty disjunct.
Robert
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