Underwater Hunting in an Arboreal Snake: Predation Notes on Amazonian Frog Larvae
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Colubrid snakes are generalist predators and are well documented to predate on adult anurans and their eggs. However, there is limited information on predation of amphibian larvae (tadpoles). This is particularly true for rarely observed species such as arboreal rainforest snakes and frogs. Chlorosoma viridissimum is a common arboreal snake found in the Amazon rainforest. Here, we report multiple events of juvenile C. viridissimum hunting underwater for tadpoles of frogs ( Trachycephalus resinifictrix , T. hadroceps , and Osteocephalus oophagus ) breeding in water‐filled tree cavities. The observations were made through video monitoring and direct observations in the tropical rainforest at Nouragues Nature Reserve, French Guiana. Our observations suggest that juveniles of C. viridissimum are underwater hunters and may be a key predator for canopy‐breeding frog larvae.
Source: Ecology and Evolution
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.73376
Authors: Floriana Stanca, Shubham Soni, Daniel Shaykevich, Ugo Lorioux‐Chevalier, Paul Kesseler, Lia Schlippe Justicia, Philippe Gaucher, Valentine Alt, Andrius Pašukonis
Institutions: University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vilnius University
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,570
OpenAlex ID: W7150967113