Arboreal behaviour in the Mapepire Balsain

The venomous snake locally known as Mapepire Balsain or Fer-de-lance (Bothrops atrox) is a terrestrial snake found across forests in Trinidad. These snakes are known to sleep in tree holes and hunt for prey on the forest floor. Arboreal behaviour is uncommon. However, on the 2nd of October 2022 in the Arima Valley, during the Club’s herpetology group trip we saw a Mapepire Balsain in a tree branch, more than 2 metres off the ground. I can only speculate as to why this predominantly ground-dwelling snake would exhibit arboreal behaviour. Perhaps the snake was looking for somewhere to rest after feeding. Perhaps it was trying to flee from ants. However, it does raise the hazard level while traversing through the forest where hikers commonly look down for these snakes. Now, we also need to look up!

Author: Renoir Auguste

Renoir Auguste is a herpetologist and naturalist from Trinidad and Tobago. He has been involved in herpetology and ecology for the past ten years, which includes a Masters degree from The University of the West Indies in Biodiversity Conservation, co-authoring more than twenty peer reviewed science publications including the Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago, and volunteering with the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club (TTFNC). Renoir is the current Herpetology Group Leader of the TTFNC.