Underwater Hunting in an Arboreal Snake: Predation Notes on Amazonian Frog Larvae

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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.

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