A venomous snake, the Black-headed Bushmaster, known as “plato negro” in Costa Rica or Lachesis melanocephala, is endemic to Costa Rica. It is the rarest of all the Lacheses species because of its very limited distribution. It only lives in Costa Rica’s southern zone.
One of these rare beauties was sighted and captured by officials of the Osa Conservation Area, part of the National System of Conservation Areas. It was assessed to be in perfect condition and it was decided that it could be released in a safe place near where it was found.
The park rangers from the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve and a biologist from the Osa Conservation Area released it safely.
This species is believed to be threatened because of deforestation and other changes in the forests. Very few sightings have been recorded.
The snake is nocturnal, feeds on small mammals like rodents, and hides in burrows made by other animals. If it feels threatened, it curls its body up and raises its head.
The National System of Conservation Areas asks the public to call 1192 to report snakes found in cities instead of returning them to the forest, as the health of the animal can and should be checked before releasing it and it should be handled by experts only.
