Hi, need an ID. New here....

[scott.f]

Hello,

I just registered, primarily to get an identification on a snake that was just on my back patio. Don't let my registration fool you on the Id. I am a Canadian but i'm currently at my condo in Costa Rica, pacific side north part of Costa Rica.

Anyhow, I'll try attaching 4 shots I took of it before it moved into my hedge. It was about a foot long, and slender. Not a large snake at all. http://members.shaw.ca/stillwtrs/snk1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/stillwtrs/snk2.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/stillwtrs/snk3.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/stillwtrs/snk4.jpg

[reptile65]

It looks like a Fer de lance (Bothrops asper) to me.

[alessia55]

It looks like a Fer de lance (Bothrops asper) to me.

Nope. The head shape is totally different. I don't think it's a venomous species.

[reptile65]

Yeah the head shape is throwing me off a bit. I can't seem to find anything with a similar pattern, though. I think I'm stumped...

[Strutter769]

Nope. The head shape is totally different. I don't think it's a venomous species.

I agree. Head is shaped more like a colubrid.

[reptile65]

I think I may have figured it out! Western lyre snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus).

[alessia55]

Haven't been able to find what kind of snake it is yet. It's definitely a colubrid of some sort. I'm currently sorting through invasive snake species, since it might be one of those.

In the meantime... In my search I stumbled across this Costa Rican beauty:

http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/1x9094316/colubrid_snake_sibon_sp_close_up_front_view_510884 .jpg

http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/1x9094315/colubrid_snake_sibon_sp_close_up_rainforest_costa_ 510883.jpg

As far as I could get, it's a sibon sp? Not sure. But it's gorgeous. Photos here. (http://www.visualphotos.com/image/1x9094316/colubrid_snake_sibon_sp_close_up_front_view)

[alessia55]

I think I may have figured it out! Western lyre snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus).

Hmm, I think you're close. If it's a lyre, it might be a Trimorphodon biscutatus quadruplex, which are found in Central America.

[reptile65]

Hmm, I think you're close. If it's a lyre, it might be a Trimorphodon biscutatus quadruplex, which are found in Central America.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Apparently the quadruplex is the most recently discovered subspecies. The head shape definitely fits, and it's just about the closest patterning I've been able to find.

[scott.f]

Thank you all very much, I believe you have it. I find the colour variations in online photos very confusing. Not being a snake connoisseur it surprises me to see so many variations of colour identified as the same snake type.

My (recently purchased) book on amphibians and reptiles of costa rica also lists a false fer-de-lance. xenodon rabdocephalus, which is a colubrid as well. Possibly this would be closer?

[Kingsnakechris]

Maybe its a hybrid... I've heard of different colubrids breeding in the wild??

[BarelyBreathing]

Until you can make a positive non-venomous identification, it would be in your best interest to just leave the snake alone and stay out of its way.

[BarelyBreathing]

Oh, and fer-de-lances aren't colubrids. They are vipers.

[Kingsnakechris]

Until you can make a positive non-venomous identification, it would be in your best interest to just leave the snake alone and stay out of its way.

1000000000% agree! Be safe not sorry....

[unknownclown]

It's gorgeous whatever it is! Love that Costa Rica beauty too!

[MoreliAddict]

Not a Fer De Lance.