Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am not one to take photos and I usually figure anything worth remembering I will remember...but I kept you in mind while I dragged around my new camera which is by no means a burden on my pocket. A girl and a guy found this little fella on a path an market it off and asked if I could tell them what it was....this girl told me she saw a coral snake crossing a path and found two eyelash vipers on the path...and the Porthidium....follow her around and you would think everything in Costa Rica is venomous!

This little one quickly left after letting me grab a few shots

Thanks man, I checked out your photo gallery, your getting better at the whole point and shoot thing!

Next time I"m down in Illinois we'll have to go herp'n

Ian

Is that nasutum?
where abouts was it found In CR?
We ran into a few out in the guanacaste a few weeks back.

Was she serious when mentioning what she had seen on the trail??
Kenny >S

Yes. It is nasutum. It was at La Selva biological reserve (somewhat north east costa rica, caribbean slope) Yes she was serious. Here is one B. schlegelii. I have photos of a gold one as well but I am having troulbe uploading photos.

It's pretty much north of San Jose.
Were you there as a visitor or researcher and what month?
that's one of the places on my list for my spring trip.
Kenny S>

Nice picture...I would say that is about as clear and detailed as it gets.

I was there as a student working on an independant study (aka. excuse to look for snakes)

Yes...north of San Jose.

I just got back from there.

I will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding your trip. Are you going for research or a visit?

Once again, Nice Photo.

Here is a B. asper Dennis Wasko has on radio there for his PhD work. I had the great time of helping him out a bit with some tracking and losing my glasses in a swamp...this snake was not easy for me to see either.

cool.......I'd like to hang out there a few days BUT I do understand it's a research facility and visitors are usually given a tour. We would be photographing herps. Wonder if they would accept photographs in a trade for access??
How is the road leading in to the facility?
Can you nightride it? What about the surrounding roads?
thanks, Kenny >S

one unfortunate part about the reserve is it is surrounded by development. If you look around though, I bet you would be able to find a road which might lead you to some crossing herps. I know they do have somewhat of a poaching problem...so there has to be something nearby.

I know the reserve is not open to the public but have you checked their website for prices on a short stay? A few days stay might be worth it for photos. I went out with a few masters students one night and I do not think they stayed long (only 3 of them).

I know near San Jose there is a place called "World of Snakes" I wanted to check out but the cab ride was like 50$ each way.

I hope this helps a little.

It is open to the public but it's 150.00 for 2 people overnight.
A budget busting price as far as I'm concerned.
I may contact them and ask about (Quality) photo contributions
for a cheaper rate while we are there.
Looks like they could use some for their website species page.
The site states no manipulation of species. So I'd have to negotiate that as well.

I'm guessing the area is surrounded by farms and agriculture right? Thats not a bad thing as far as herps are concerned but of course certain species will only be found in the undisturbed forest. Is there a long road leading into the reserve?
Kenny S

Yes, it is open to the public...I just meant on a daily basis as like a pay to enter and walk around (like a zoo). You need an overnight stay.

they also need an updated list of species and species names to go with those photos.

I am not sure the manipulation thing will be easy to negotiate but if you hook up with someone doing research there (with a good grant paying lots of money for them to be there) you can tip toe around that rule since they have permission to manipulate things. ( I didn't say this )

There are a few decent roads leading up to the reserve which would not be extremely high traffic and development. I would imagine you could find things to photograph.

By the way...nice Bothrops photo...not as hidden as mine though : ) Just way way more clear and better quality