Researchers stayed for 40 days at the Serra do Tombador Nature Reserve, in the city of Cavalcante, in Goiás, in a conservation unit covering 9,000 hectares in the Cerrado biome. During this period, they identified 755 animals, including 34 species of amphibians and 40 species of reptiles.
Their objective was to find reptiles (lizards, snakes, alligators and turtles) and amphibians (toads, frogs and tree frogs) of rare species. However, only one or two individuals were sighted throughout the work.
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One of the rarities found is the Apostolepis sanctaeritae, a red snake with a white and black head, popularly known as “false coral”.
Apostolepis sanctaeritae
Apostolepis sanctaeritae is a species of snake that belongs to the Dipsadidae family, found in Brazil. The species was discovered in 2017 in an area of Atlantic forest in the state of Bahia.
Snakes of the Apostolepis species are known for their relatively small size, with a length a maximum of about 60 centimeters, and feed mainly on small reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Its color is light brown with small dark spots, and it is found in tropical and subtropical forest areas, such as tropical and dry forests.
“It is a very rare species, very uncommon in all studies. It is difficult to be found in the field and there is little known material in scientific collections, so it is certainly a very rare animal”, says biologist Reuber Brandão, member of from the Network of Specialists in Nature Conservation (RECN), professor of fauna and wild areas management at the University of Brasília (UnB) and responsible for the expedition.
The snake has venom inoculating teeth at the back of its mouth, but has a calm temperament, not posing a risk to humans. In addition to the snake, another animal caught the researchers' attention.
Toad Rhaebo guttatus
Rhaebo guttatus is a species of frog in the family Bufonidae, found in various parts of South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. Rhaebo toads are known for their large size and impressive appearance.
The Rhaebo guttatus can measure about 20 centimeters in length and is generally dark in color, with yellowish or white spots or marks on the back and flanks.
According to studies carried out with the species, the frog's venom does not kill its predator, but it can blind it for a few days.
“It was a big surprise to find him in the reserve. This shows that the region of the reserve is important from a biogeographical point of view because it is home to elements of the Cerrado and Amazon fauna”, emphasizes Brandão.
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