Predation of Bothrops atrox (Squamata: Viperidae) by Drymarchon corais (Squamata: Colubridae) in the Western Pará, Central Amazonia

Abstract

This note provides information on the feeding ecology of the Drymarchon corais snake based on the first record of predation of Bothrops atrox in the Brazilian Amazon. Drymarchon corais is a generalist snake, with arboreal and terrestrial habits and widely distributed throughout the north, northeast and central regions of Brazil. It is adapted to various habitat types in the Amazon biome. In a stretch of anthropic area (pasture) on the edge of an ombrophilous forest area in the municipality of Alenquer, Pará state, a D. corais specimen, approximately 190 cm in length, was observed preying on an adult B. atrox specimen, which was approximately 70 cm in length. This is the first description of a predation event involving a D. corais and a Bothrops species in a natural environment. This record expands knowledge about the predatory interactions of D. corais and highlights the need for future studies that can contribute to understanding the evolutionary adaptations of ophiophagous snakes to venomous snakes in the Brazilian Amazon.