Habitat use and age structure of the Fer-de-Lance (Bothrops asper, Viperidae) in Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica

The Fer-de-lance or terciopelo (Bothrops asper) inhabits a wide range of environmental conditions and habitats across Central America. While much information on the species is based anecdotal observations useum specimens, data collected under natural are more limited. To better document its history, this study sought to determine habitat use age structure B. asper in Quebrada Gonzalez sector Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica. Snake surveys were conducted from January 2015 August 2017 used evaluate population age-class distribution sex ratio. macrohabitat use, four types (mature forest, late succession, early human infrastructure). Microhabitat was determined by recording several structural variables at each snake location random sites. Amphibians sampled type available prey base. Fifty-five individuals captured, mostly females juveniles, with five recaptures. Snakes encountered all but most often succession forests, which have dense vegetation cover high availability. selected areas heavy understory when resting, exposed sites, closer bodies water, ambushing moving. Human-disturbed sites least. Although encounters did tend correlate higher amphibian abundance, other factors such as mammalian abundance could also influence distribution.