Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Someone sent me a group of snake photos from South America asking for some IDs. Most of them were easy, but this one has me stumped.

The frustrating thing is I know I have seen pics of this species before but I can't find it!!!! It kind of reminds me of Bothriopsis taeniata, but I don't think that is right - in fact, I think it is non-venomous.

Someone bail me out,...please?

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Chris Harrison

Looks just like Bothriopsis taeniata to me. What makes you think otherwise?
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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture

Look at this photo for comparison..
eco.ib.usp.br/labvert/Jararaca/imagens/taeniatus_foto1.htm

Chris,

Looks just like B, taeniata in plate 446 in Campbell and Lamar 2004 to me.

Do you have any other pics of that snake...the head is not in great focus.

Regards,
Scott

Definitely Bothrops taeniatus (or Bothriopsis taeniata to some). This species is quite variable - specimens from the western Amazon, i.e., Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, western Brazil (which is where I guess this specimen is from) are quite distinct in pattern from eastern specimens fromt he Guyanas and eastern Brazil, which are displayed on Marcio Martins' website. I would not be surprised if they turned out to be a separate species, but for the moment, they are Bothrops taeniatus.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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WW Home

As I said, B. taeniata was my first guess, but I did a little searching through some pics and online and couldn't find an exact match to the rather unique pattern (and in fact, I did look in Campbell and Lamar!). And then there was a nagging feeling that I had seen a "mimic" viper (although, I think from Asia) that looked like this, so I talked my self out of it.

I figured you guys would set me straight. I will let the photographer know.
Thanks
Chris
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Chris Harrison

Chris,

Mock vipers....colubrid from South East Asia...Psammodynastes pulverulentus....right down to the triangular head and vertical pupil.

Regards,

Scott Eipper

>>Chris,
>>
>>Mock vipers....colubrid from South East Asia...Psammodynastes pulverulentus....right down to the triangular head and vertical pupil.

Scott,

There are some *very* convincing Bothrops mimics in South America (genera such as Xenodon and Waglerophis) - I would guess from the context that Chris's use of the term "mock viper" was intended generically to refer to viper look-alikes, not specifically to Psammodynastes.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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WW Home

WW,

I was aware of Xenodon in South America, however Chris' post refers to a Mimic from Asia...so I responded with Psammodynastes.

Regards,

Scott

I was thinking of Psammodynastes, I was just too lazy to look up the name.

For reference, the snake was photographed in Ecuador somewhere.
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Chris Harrison