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Deep In The Jungle


Deep In The Jungle
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Vincent (earthtraveler) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 455 W: 130 N: 972] (3519)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-15
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ50
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-07-18 6:39
Viewed: 964
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Eyelash Viper

This is a relatively small species that rarely exceed 75 cm in length, with females being larger than males. They have a wide, triangular-shaped head, and eyes with vertical pupils. Like all pit vipers, they are solenoglyphous, having large, hypodermic needle-like fangs in the upper jaw that fold back when not in use, and have heat sensitive organs, or pits, located on either side of the head between the eye and nostril.
Its most distinguishing feature, and origin of its common name, is the set of modified scales over the eyes that look much like eyelashes. The eyelashes are thought to aid in camouflage, breaking up the snake's outline among the foliage it usually hides in. B. schlegelii occurs in a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, brown, green, even pink, as well as various combinations therof. They often have black or brown speckling on the base color.

Common names
Eyelash viper, eyelash mountain viper, Schlegel's viper, Schlegel's palm viper, eyelash snake, horned palm viper.eyelash pit viper, Schlegel's pit viper. Also known as Bocaracá in Costa Rica and other Latin American countries

Geographic range
Its range extends from southern Mexico (northern Chiapas), southeastward on the Atlantic slope and lowlands through Central America to northern South America in Colombia and Venezuela. Also found on the Pacific versant and lowlands in parts of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Occurs in mesic forest at elevations almost from sea level to 2640 m altitude.

Habitat
Prefers lower altitude, humid, tropical areas with dense foliage, generally not far from a permanent water source.

Behavior
Like other Bothriechis members, this species is arboreal, having a strongly prehensile tail. It is largely nocturnal, consuming small rodents, frogs, lizards, and small birds. They are not known to be an aggressive snake, but will not hesitate to strike if harassed.
A typical ambush predator, it waits patiently for unsuspecting prey to wander by. Sometimes, it is known to select a specific ambush site and return to it every year in time for the spring migration of birds. Studies have indicated that these snakes learn to improve their strike accuracy over time.
Sometimes these snakes (especially juveniles) will employ what is known as "caudal luring", where they will wiggle their tail in worm-like motions to encourage potential prey to move within striking range.
Reproduction
Eyelash vipers are ovoviviparous, giving birth to an average of 10-12 young on a yearly basis, that are 6-8 inches in length.

Captivity
Despite the inherent danger of its venom, B. schlegelii is frequently available in the exotic animal trade, and is well represented in zoos worldwide. It is frequently captive bred for color and pattern. Exporting from the wild is not as common as it once was, but is not unknown. In general they make hardy captives, readily feeding on provided mice. As they make impressive display specimens, particularly desirable colorations can command high prices.

Source: Wikipedia

ISO 100
fstop 3.2
Focal length 19.1 mm

PSE4 processing:
cropped
lighting adjusted to saturate
sharpened
framed

Thank you all for taking a look and for sharing your
thoughts. Richard
Jamesp, koruklu, eqshannon, Photoslave, pilonm, valy67 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eqshannon: Your too kind!earthtraveler 1 07-18 15:41
To Lycaon: Snake sizeearthtraveler 1 07-18 10:25
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1330 W: 0 N: 5286] (15770)
  • [2007-07-18 6:46]

Hi Richard

A great composition with wonderful colour and detail in very difficult conditions.

James

Great colours!! What was the size of this particular one? The leaf down looks huge!

A very artistic composition -- great color contrast! My only criticism would be that the center of interest is right in the middle of the image, but it seems to work anyway. I love it! In fact, I am adding it to my favorites!

It's not just another picture as many I see and pass by quickly. This is a rare capture in an art form I have only seen in professional journals. You are going to skyrocket with pictures like this!!!

Bob
Pacific NW Wilderness

Hi Richard,

great shot! Very interesting snake, excellent colors and perfect note.

TFS!!

Giorgio

HI Richard,
really eye-catching! Bright yellow on dark greens...
Interesting shot... useful the leave as as reference to seize the snake... Marta

Excelente composición y colores. Buen documento y más para los que nunca hemos visto estos curiosos animales. Un saludo Richard.

  • Great 
  • pilonm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 564 W: 99 N: 861] (2805)
  • [2007-07-22 19:31]

Hello (Bonjour) Richard!

I like very much this picture because it is very artistic with all those forms, colors, and textures (leaves, snakes, twigs, etc)!!!

You did very well not cropping more!

Excellent work!!!

TFS,

Michel

Great colours! Great picture!

  • Great 
  • Adam73 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 226 W: 5 N: 536] (2245)
  • [2007-07-24 14:35]

Now thats amazing. I love how the entire scene is pretty much green and then this venomous viper just standing out demanding attention. Great shot.

-Adam

Hello Richard !
I realy like this picture, because snakes belong to my favourite animals and I love the color on this one, such a bight yellow ! The composition is wonderful, with the bar of the tree and with the big leaves. It's nice to see the snake in its natural environment, also. Very well done !
Valerie.

I like the color tones and the sense of jungle this picture has. You can almost feel the humidity of the environement. Good composition. Cheers!

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