Inca forest-pitviper (Bothrops chloromelas, Viperidae)

PN Yanachaga Chemillén - San Alberto, Pasco, Peru. Mar 14, 2020

comments (8)

Thibaud Aronson

Lion

I was standing in the midst of a nice mixed flock when some birds, maybe fifteen meters away, started making a tremendous ruckus, congregating on a small tree, and attracting every feathered denizen of the area, from hummingbirds and tiny woodpeckers to barbets and tuftedcheeks. I knew instantly that they'd found a predator and slowly got closer, hoping it was a sleeping owl. After a while, I had a clear view of the tree, but no sign whatsoever of an owl. I strained my eyes for a looong time, starting to doubt my assessment, until I finally spotted this tiny coil, maybe 10 centimeteres across, which revealed itself to be this beautiful pit-viper. As is typical, it was completely unphased by the birds, and after maybe twenty minutes, they all got tired and moved away. But when I came back later in the day to show it to some of the students, who'd been walking around the station in flip-flops, it had vanished... Posted 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Great story and encounter! And, I would imagine that those flip-flop-wearing students probably had a bunch of bug bites on their feet! Hopefully no snake bites though! Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
    
    Lion
    
    Haha well compared to the lowland forest we'd been in before, there were hardly any critters to bother us up in the mountains! Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      A definite bonus! Mosquitoes love to bite feet! Posted 5 years ago

Ruth Spigelman

Lion

Just 10 cm across? Incredible. Kudos for spotting! It is enchanting. Posted 5 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

What a story, and great evidence of the keen senses of birds! Posted 5 years ago

Paul Dirksen

Lion

I guess that encounter was a breath-taking moment Thibaud. Posted 5 years ago

Thibaud Aronson

Lion

Thanks! However, it's just been pointed out to me by some iNat experts that the species ID that I'd been given was incorrect, this in fact Bothros chloromelas, a related species which is endemic to central Peru! Posted 5 years ago