FieldHerpForum

You might wonder what's the big deal about spotting an arboreal snake on a tree. Isn't that akin to seeing frogs in a pond, or roaches under the fridge?

Well, not for me, it ain't. As I pointed out in my last Bamboo Viper thread, I find this species all the time, but so far only twice actually sitting on trees.

All that changed last night. I drove up to one of my favorite cruising roads to see whether Typhoon Morakot had filled up the roadside ditch, increasing the frog populations therein. That certainly proved to be true, and in one spot the tree frog chorus didn't come from the ditch, but from the tree crowns. When I pointed my searchlight into the canopy, my eyes feasted on this beautiful sight about 15 feet above my head. Trimeresurus stejnegeri is beautiful from any angle, yet its ventral area takes the cake. I don't get to see it very often, though, since I don't handle hots. From now on, I'll be sure to check the world above me a bit more, for it was my earth-centric searching style that has been robbing me of vistas like these

Sorry about the same pose in every photo, but this snake was in ambush mode, and, true to its genetic programming, still sitting there in the same pose and position when I passed by a second time two hours later....

FANTASTIC SHOT!!!

I am happy for you to finally see one in a hunting position! Thanks you for posting, I loved the close up!!!

MAN is that a GORGEOUS animal! GREAT find!

Beautiful find! Is that C.abolabris? (spelling?) My former trim (the genus is now Crypt somthing irght?) knowledge has always been shakey and I know there are atleast 2 species that look like abolabris so Im not sure at all.

Whatever it is, its gorgeous! LOL

Thanks for posting man!

Jeremy

Edit: I guess I should have read the entireity of your text before posting LOL Mystery solved.

Beautiful snake... nice photos! How big was it?

Hell yeah! Very cool!

Glad to hear from you following the typhoon too....I was thinking about youse guys.

That is too cool
By the apparant size of the branches it looks to be a fairly large specimen.

Beautiful animal! Those must get your heart racing everytime you see one. I know it would get mine pumping. I wish those snakes occured here. Awesome shots and find! Keep up the good work and don't be a stranger to posting more of those beauties or any other herps from that area.

Ryan

Thanks for the ecstatic responses,everyone

This is not the first time I've found Trimeresurus stejnegeri in a hunting position; au contraire, that's where I find them half of the time. But this was the first time in a tree (as opposed to ditches, gullies etc.)

The snake wasn't really large, around a foot and a half, I'd say.

Ryan: the snakes are always bigger on the other side of the fence. I wish we had EDBs over here

I just realize that tree is a Sakura - a Japanese ornamental cherry. Hope the snake keeps hunting there when the tree's in bloom next March - THAT would be a sight!

PS: For anyone interested in more stuff from around these parts, here are the photo posts I've initiated so far here on FHF. The search function in this forum doesn't allow to search by "threads started by xxx", so I'm keeping a link list for quick reference.

You might find those often, but I always enjoy the shots. They really are stunning snakes.

Regards,
David

They are, I agree, David. In fact, I've made it my mission to photograph every single one I meet. A project, if you will. Don't know what I'm gonna do with all those photos of green snakes, but I'm sure I'll think of something. I just love that green.....and those purdy red eyes!

I should have stated, hunting position, in a tree ! No offense meant Twoton !

I always enjoy your posts, and look forward with great anticipation to an inevitable dial up anihalation of green tree vipers!

I always enjoy your posts!

Alex

None taken!


Why, thank you (and Alex)! Well, until then, here are some reruns

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=22368

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=25162

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=25527