Vietnam 2013: Part 2

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Zach Cava
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Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Zach Cava »

Continued from Part 1

A taxi drove us deeper into Pù Mát National Park, but before we got to our destination (a military outpost) the road became too muddy, so we had to walk the last stretch.

Notice how muddy the water looks in this river. Increased turbidity resulting from human activities (e.g. mining, deforestation) is a major threat to many aquatic species, especially amphibians.

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We arrive at this military post where we stayed for the next few days. Here we are relaxing with some tea and reviewing field guides to familiarize ourselves with some species we might encounter.

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Painted Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis pictus) that Scott caught on the walk over. This was a beautiful snake, but it was very flighty, which made it hard to get decent photos.

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Some locals watch the photoshoot

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One of the coolest things about this snake was how the brilliant blue coloration on the scales seemed to magically vanish and reappear as the snake breathed. I’ve never seen so many animals with blue on them as I did in Vietnam.

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The effect is better illustrated in video:







Paul attempts to lure in some curious (but wary) kids

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Not so scary (the adults all kept their distance, though)

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Main Street

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Down by the river

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Water Buffalo (Bubalis bubalis)

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There were lots of gaudy butterflies puddling in the mud along the river. This one is a swallowtail (Papilio sp.)—I think either P. paris, P. karna, or P. polyctor?

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Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon)

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Striped Blue Crow (Euploea mulciber)

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Termites

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Vietnam vs. USA volleyball game

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Dinner

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More house geckos (Hemidactylus sp.) hunting bugs around our lights

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Juvenile Lycodon subcinctus with a more distinct banding pattern than the adult in Part 1

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Another Fejervarya limnocharis

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Loading up for next part of the journey—no car this time, just motorbikes!

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Thanks for looking,

-Zach















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Part 1
Part 2
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herpseeker1978
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by herpseeker1978 »

nice shot of the termites! Oh and that bronzeback is awesome!

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TimCO
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by TimCO »

Great post Zach, thanks for taking us along.
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Antonsrkn
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Antonsrkn »

Great stuff, enjoyed all the photos, looks wonderful out there.

This butterfly is crazy! It looks like theres been a glitch in the matrix.
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ahockenberry
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by ahockenberry »

Excellent post and looks like a great trip!
Thanks for sharing
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Kevin Messenger
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Kevin Messenger »

Zach Cava wrote: Juvenile Lycodon subcinctus (?) with a more distinct banding pattern than the adult in Part 1
Are you sure this isn't another Lycodon? Not saying it isn't subcinctus, I just don't want you jumping to conclusions. Is subcinctus the ONLY Lycodon found in the area you guys were in?
Zach Cava wrote: Another Fejervarya limnocharis (?)
yep

Great post, keep em coming! That one butterfly is crazy
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Zach Cava
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Zach Cava »

Thanks - Kevin, yeah it could be a different Lycodon, this was just a tentative ID. I can check with The Biodiversity Group to get the notes for this individual, and if anyone has other ideas on what sp. it could be, please share.

-Zach
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Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Very raw stuff - thanks for sharing! The Lycodon looks like something I;ve seen before but can't remember...I hope somebody will solve the mystery!
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BillMcGighan
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by BillMcGighan »

Thanks for such a nice post, Zach. Showing all the additional people places and things really takes us with you.





Hans
The Lycodon looks like something I;ve seen before but can't remember...I hope somebody will solve the mystery!
I'll bet the Lycodon, Hans, enjoys some protection because of its superficial resemblance to Bungarus:

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Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

BillMcGighan wrote:I'll bet the Lycodon, Hans, enjoys some protection because of its superficial resemblance to Bungarus:
I compared the pic with those of baby kraits (B. m. multicinctus) I've photographed in Taiwan, and the white part on the head which touches above the nape is identical to what we're seeing here. And the species occurs in Vietnam. On the other hand, I can't really see the distinctive spinal ridge so typical for kraits.
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Zach Cava
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Zach Cava »

Hans, pretty sure we had ruled out it being a krait
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Kevin Messenger
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Kevin Messenger »

juvenile L. ruhstrati:
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juvenile B. multicinctus:
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I've never found L. subcinctus, so I can't provide any pics for that
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Zach Cava
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Zach Cava »

Thanks for the photos Kevin. This snake did not have a vertebral ridge.
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Kevin Messenger
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Kevin Messenger »

then you're in the clear. I figured as much. It's crazy how similar Lycodon/ Dinodon can look like Bungarus. We all know the story of Joe....
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Ruxs
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Ruxs »

Great stuff! Amazing scenery and cool finds, I can't wait for the next instalment.

That's definitely a little L. subcintus, by the way.
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NatureStills
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by NatureStills »

Zack is right, it's a Malayan Banded Wolfsnake (Lycodon subcinctus)

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Malayan Banded Wolfsnake (Lycodon subcinctus) by NatureStills

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Malayan Banded Wolfsnake (Lycodon subcinctus) by NatureStills

And here is an adult:

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Malayan Banded Wolfsnake (Lycodon subcinctus) by NatureStills

The banding fades with age

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Malayan Banded Wolfsnake (Lycodon subcinctus) by NatureStills

Definitely lacks a vertebral ridge like this:

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Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) by NatureStills

And here are some pics of a Bungarus fasciatus found nearby

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Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) by NatureStills

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Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) by NatureStills
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Keeper
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Keeper »

Kevin Messenger wrote:then you're in the clear. I figured as much. It's crazy how similar Lycodon/ Dinodon can look like Bungarus. We all know the story of Joe....
Indeed, don't mass with it until you are 100% sure which one is it.
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Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 2

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Thanks for the edifimacation, guys!
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