Handsome herps

In conclusion of this years Costa Rica stay, I want to show some of my favorite reptile & amphibian pictures I took during the last weeks. Starting with an impressive Annulated Tree Boa (Corallus annulatus). In Costa Rica, this boa only occurs in the Caribbean lowlands. The snake was about 150 cm (59 in) long.

Corallus annulatus - Annulated Tree Boa

Annulated Tree Boa, portrait

The Central American Banded Gecko (Coleonyx mitratus) with its beautiful pattern and cute large head and eyes is my favorite Costa Rican gecko. They can be quite common in the right habitats in the northwest of the country, but not easy to find because of their nocturnal and secretive behaviour.

Coleonyx mitratus - Central American Banded Gecko

Another observation that I am very happy about, is this amazing Blue-sided Leaf Frog (Agalychnis annae). It was the first time for me to find this quite rare frog in the wild. After seeing hundreds of his red-eyed "cousins", it was really cool to find this golden-eyed beauty.

Agalychnis annae - Blue-sided Leaf Frog

The Emerald Glass Frog (Espadarana prosoblepon) is more common and I have seen many of them during my night hikes, but for the first time, I was able to take a picture of its transparent belly. The process was very similar to the photography of the Reticulated Glass Frog one year ago.

Espadarana prosoblepon - Emerald Glass Frog

Espadarana prosoblepon - Emerald Glass Frog

Definitley one of my favorite Costa Rican snakes: False Tree Coral (Rhinobothryum bovallii). It is simply amazing to find this stunning and colorful snake climbing in the dark. 

New nocturnal neighbors

Since January I am working (volunteering) for Callidryas Tours and Arenal Oasis as a tour guide. At the Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge I saw numerous animals, especially during the night hikes. Here I want to share some of those with you.

This cute Powdered Glass Frog (Teratohyla pulverata) messures barely a length of 3 cm (1.2 in) max. Due to their small size and good camouflage, they are hard to find.

I found this juvenile Blunthead Tree Snake (Imantodes cenchoa) coiled up on the leaf of a bromelia. These snakes feed mainly on frogs and lizards.

Shiny green Rhinoceros Katydid (Copiphora cultricornis) nymph.

The Pygmy Rain Frog (Pristimantis ridens) is very common in this area. Growing to 2.5 cm (0.98 in), this is another very small species.

Quite rare to see: Striated Webfoot Salamander (Bolitoglossa striatula). This species occurs in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. 

This big ant is 3 cm (1.2 in) long and feared by man. The sting of this species is considered to be the most painful sting of the entire insect kingdom. It's described to be as painful as a gunshot. That's why this ant is called Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata).

The Red-eyed Treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas) should be part of every night hike in Costa Rica...

Beautiful coloration on this juvenile Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii). They are ambush predators, so they can remain motionless for hours.

And thus the circle closes, I finish this report as I started it: with a member of the amphibian family called Centrolenidae. This one is an Emerald Glass Frog (Espadarana prosoblepon).