Well, it's that time again. My blog is widely known as a good place to see some creepy stuff. These aren't super creepy I suppose, but I'll put them all up here for the lovers of cool animals that may or may not be the most friendly.
First up, let's just get this one out of the way. As it was, quite literally, in my way on the trail I was walking. When I asked about how common the fer de lance was in the area I was told that not all that long ago a female had apparently given birth nearby as they were seeing a lot of small ones. And so I was hoping to see one, and sure enough there was a small one right on the edge of the path. Pretty snakes, but best to see them and not step on them as they can be a bit aggressive.
First up, let's just get this one out of the way. As it was, quite literally, in my way on the trail I was walking. When I asked about how common the fer de lance was in the area I was told that not all that long ago a female had apparently given birth nearby as they were seeing a lot of small ones. And so I was hoping to see one, and sure enough there was a small one right on the edge of the path. Pretty snakes, but best to see them and not step on them as they can be a bit aggressive.
A young fer de lance (Bothrops asper), locally known as the terciopelo, along the trail at Campanario at night
Not too far from the snake I found another of those things that make wearing open-toed shoes a less than stellar idea. This scorpion (Centruroides sp.) was tucked in up against a root, so not an amazing photo. In general if you startle these guys they duck into a hole or under a rock so I just let him be and got the best photo I could. I pretty much don't move or bother the things I photograph, even when I can't get the photo I would like. I'm not working with the animal so no need to bother it other than with a photo.
A scorpion, which appears to be in the Centruroides genus, at the Campanario Biological Station at night
One of the most common things out there were spiders. How do I know? Well many species have eyes that reflect in my headlamp at night and in places there were many dozens of them looking at me. Some nice big ones, too. Not the eyes that were big, but the spiders.
This spider was one of several large ones I saw on tree trunks. Many others were on the ground and there were some truly enormous web-making spiders (Nephila clavipes) as well.
This spider was one of several large ones I saw on tree trunks. Many others were on the ground and there were some truly enormous web-making spiders (Nephila clavipes) as well.
A particularly large spider seen at night
One fairly fascinating animal I saw was a tail-less whip scorpion (Family: Amblypygidae). These are pretty harmless, although they look wicked and I suppose if you grabbed one those spines on the pedipalps might give you a good poke.
A tail-less whip scorpion (Family: Amblypygidae) at Campanario during the night
One of the last things I saw wasn't creepy in the usual sense, more prehistoric-looking. Some of the lizards can be quite interesting to look at up close. I haven't had any time to identify this one yet, but it was very attractive and was found sleeping on a palm leaf. Sorry to wake you up my friend, but a quick photo and you can go back to dreaming reptile dreams.
One of the mid-sized lizards on a palm frond at Campanario
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