Almada Mata Atlântica Project
Reptiles of Fazenda Bom Pastor
Regarding the last comprehensive checklist, 856 species of reptiles can be found in Brazil. The Mata Atlantica biome harbors 517 of them. 278 snake species, 174 "lizard" species, 72 amphisbaenians, 21 turtles and a four species of crocodiles. A systematic review counted 129 snake species in the state of Bahia. A long term inventory of cabruca areas counted 61 snake species, whereas no difference could be found compared to reference areas in forests. The species richness of reptiles on Bom Pastor will roughly correspond to that of the last study, as the Fazenda is situated in the study area. So far we have been able to photograph and identified 17 snake species.
Further information
Anolis fuscoauratus
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Slender Amazon anole
Family
Dactyloidae
A widespread species in Northern South America. Typical habitats are forested areas, the species is arboreal and preys upon spiders, insects, and insect larvae.
Anolis punctatus
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Amazon green anole
Family
Dactyloidae
Anolis are good climbers and live on trees and in the undergrowth, some species also temporarily inhabit the forest ground. They form various large territories that are defended and changed according to food availability and suitability. They feed on invertebrates, mostly insects. Most Anolidae are diurnal, so I was usually able to photograph them sleeping on branches.
Aspronema dorsivittata
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Paraguay mabuya
Family
Scincidae
A widespread species in in Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Chaco and Pampa habitats. It feeds on arthropods, mainly spiders, beetles, flies and aphids.
Boa constrictor
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Common boa
Family
Boidea
The common boa and its subspecies are widely distributed across South America in a variety of habitats. They are nocturnal, semi-arboreal snakes, feeding on a wide variety of small to medium-sized mammals and birds.
Boiruna setraneja
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Cobra-Preta
Family
Colubridae
A nocturnal snake, common in the northeastern states of Brazil, especially in the Caatinga. Its dark coloration is seen as an defense mechanism related to its nocturnal activity.
Corallus hortulanus
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Amazon tree boa
Family
Boidea
The tree boa exhibits an immense variety of colors and patterns. The basic color can be anywhere from black, brown, or gray, to any shade of red, orange, yellow, or many colors in between.
Dipsas neuwiedii
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Neuwied's tree snake
Family
Colubridae
This fully arboreal tree snake is also an snail eater and feeds mainly on mollluscs. I think, this is an amazing snake, as it is able to behavioral mimicry. In case of danger, they imitate the behavior of vipers in order to look like a viper, hence a poisonous snake.
Drymarchon corais
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Indigo snake
Family
Colubridae
Indigo snakes forages on the ground, sometimes climbing low vegetation. It feeds on a variety of prey species including fish, frogs, reptiles, mammals, and bird eggs. This is one of the few diurnal snakes present here, as I usually only have time for longer walks after sunset.
Enyalius catenatus
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Wied's fathead anole
Family
Leiosauridae
This anole is native to Brazil andcan be found in the Mata Atlântica and other humid forests.
Epicrates cenchria
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Rainbow boa
Family
Boidea
Rainbow boas are nocturnal and most active in the middle of the night. This species is semi-arboreal, spending time both on the ground and in trees. They are also known to spend time in bodies of water, and are considered capable swimmers. The natural habitat are humid woodlands and rain forests.
Helicops leopardinus
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Leopard Keelback
Family
Colubridae
A widespread, aquatic species in Brazil, especially in the Pantanal.
Imantodes cenchoa
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Blunthead tree snake
Family
Colubridae
The blunthead tree snake is arboreal It is most often found in low vegetation such as coffee trees or bromeliads. It prefers cooler and moist areas such as wet forests and rainforests. At night it forages for food through dense vegetation on the ground up to its resting places in the trees. It preys mostly on small lizards, frogs, and reptile eggs.
Kentropyx calcarata
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Striped forest whiptail
Family
Teiidae
The striped forest whiptail is widespread in Souh America. In Brazil it an be found in the Amazon and Mata Atlantica, associated with forest ecosystems and can be found in sunny microhabitats
Lachesis muta
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Atlantic bushmaster
Family
Viperidae
The bushmaster occurs in primary and secondary forests; adjacent fields and cleared areas. It is an nocturnal species, hunting on the ground. I think only one animal of this species lives on Fazenda Bom Pastor, but I come across it again and again on my walks through the forest.
Oxybelis aeneus
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Brown vine snake
Family
Colubridae
The vine snake is a predominantly arboreal and diurnal species and is often mistaken for a vine. When it feels threatened, it sometimes emits foul-smelling secretions from its gullet. It is usually found in trees or bushes on open, steep and grassy slopes, but can also be found in wooded ravines, especially those with lush vegetation.
Oxyrhopus guibei
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
False coral snake
Family
Colubridae
The preferred natural habitat of O. guibei is forest, including forest edges and open areas. The snake is sometimes seen near human activity and habitation, for example, on farms and in backyards.
Dipsas indica
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Neo-tropical snail-eater
Family
Colubridae
The snail eater inhabits primary and secondary forests, as well as disturbed areas. They are usually found in vegetation, both in branches or leaves of shrubs, as well as in trees.
Oxyrhopus petolarius
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
False coral snake
Family
Colubridae
O. petolarius feeds on lizards, amphibians, small rodents, other small mammals, birds and their eggs and probably also on other snakes. O. petolarius has back teeth and its venom is extremely poisonous to anoles.
Polychrus marmoratus
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Many-colored bush anole
Family
Polychrotidae
The species is widespread in Northern South America and can be found in semideciduous forests. It preys on insects and spiders using an ambush method. BUt the anole also feed on flowers and seeds.
Siphlophis compressus
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Red vine snake, false coral snake
Family
Colubridae
This nocturnal, arboreal snake feeds on small vertebrates.
Spilotes pullatus
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Yellow rat snake
Family
Colubridae
This diurnal snake inhabits forested areas, often nearby waters. As a cultural successor, it is often found in the vicinity of human settlements. The mostly arboreal snake feeds on a wide variety of smaller vertebrates.
Tantilla melanocephala
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Black-headed snake
Family
Colubridae
The black-headed snake is found throughout Brazil. It is both diurnal and nocturnal. It feed on insects, worms and millipedes.
Tropidurus torquatus
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Amazon lava lizard
Family
Tropiduridae
This lizard is one of the most widely distributed species of Trupiduridae and lives mainly in open habitat types, especially the restinga and cerrado and occurs also also in disturbed and degraded restinga parts. It is mostly ground-dwelling, living in termite nests and on or under rocks and logs. Here at Bom Pastor, several of these animals live on and under the terrace of the main house and in many other places.
Xenopholis scalaris
Scienitfic name
Common name
Threat
LC
Flat-headed Snakes
Family
Colubridae
This snake inhabits humid areas of the Amazon and transition zones, mainly in primary forests. It is found on the forest floor, in leaf litter and at the base of plants. It is quite common here in our cabruca, but can easily be overlooked due to its tiny body size.