Last December, I visited Shirpuno Lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Shiripuno is remote, and is known for experiencing lower hunting pressure than the Napo lodges (which matters more for mammals and birds than herps, I suppose). It has an excellent trail system, and I was allowed to walk alone, without a guide.
My main goal was to see mammals, but my herp sightings ended up being the highlight of my trip. In fact, this was my first rainforest trip during which I reasonable luck locating herps. However, it was relatively dry during my stay and I'm sure I would have seen more if there had been more rain.
I'll post my photos in 2-3 batches, starting with the reptiles. My photos of other taxa are on my website, http://www.tremarctos.com. All photos were taken in-situ except Platemys platecephala. Please feel free to correct my identifications!
I will be returning to Shiripuno next month. Let me know if you have any advice on how to observe a greater diversity of herps. I'd particularly like to see Mata-mata and Cruziohyla craspedopus.
Panama Spotted Night Snake (Sipholophis cervinus)
Twist-necked Turtle (Platemys platycephala)
Brazil's Lancehead (Bothrops brazili) - I took shelter under a large tree during a short period of rainfall, and noticed this snake staring at me from a few meters away.
Striped Sharpnose Snake (Philodryas argentea)
Smooth-fronted Caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus) - quite common at this site
Velvet Swampsnake (Erythrolamprus typhlus)
Banded Cat-eyed Snake (Leptodeira annulata)
Northern Snail-eater (Dipsas pavonina) -I think the closeup of the head distinguishes this from the next species.
Catesby's Snail-eater (Dipsas catesbyi)
Blunthead Tree Snake (Imantodes cenchoa)
Southern Turnip-tailed Gecko (Thecadactylus solimoensis)
Shiripuno Amazon Lodge, Ecuador
Moderator: Scott Waters
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Re: Shiripuno Amazon Lodge, Ecuador
Great Stuff !
Keep them coming !
Can you give a brief description of the camera and equipment used?
Excellent photos !
Thank you,
Craig Barnes
Keep them coming !
Can you give a brief description of the camera and equipment used?
Excellent photos !
Thank you,
Craig Barnes
Re: Shiripuno Amazon Lodge, Ecuador
Never mind, I went to the link posted.
Great stuff..
Craig
Great stuff..
Craig
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- Posts: 1
- Joined: July 24th, 2018, 12:13 pm
- Location: Lima, Peru
Re: Shiripuno Amazon Lodge, Ecuador
Great photos! Shiripuno sounds like a great placefor herping. How many days did you stay, to see all those different snakes species?
By the way, mata mata turtles can be pretty tough to find. They're usually underwater, and very well camouflaged. I'm from Peru, I trave quite a lot to the amazon, and the only ones I've seen were all captive, or found accidentally by fishermen.
Keep up with those pictures!
By the way, mata mata turtles can be pretty tough to find. They're usually underwater, and very well camouflaged. I'm from Peru, I trave quite a lot to the amazon, and the only ones I've seen were all captive, or found accidentally by fishermen.
Keep up with those pictures!