Bothrops diporus (Southern pitviper/Chaco lancehead): Predation

Abstract

Bothrops diporus is a mid-sized pitviper found in southern Brazil, southern Paraguay, central and northern Argentina, and probably extreme south-central Bolivia. Although it is common in a variety of habitats including Chaco dry-forest, wet palm-grasslands, semitropical deciduous forest, Paranaense Araucaria forest, Monte and Pampas, there are only few published data on the natural history and natural predators of this species. Here, we report the first observation of predation on B. diporus by a Lesser Grison (Galictis cuja). Galictis cuja, is widely distributed in South America occurring in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and southeastern Brazil, at elevations from sea level to 4161 m (Poo-Muñoz et al. 2014 Iheringia - Serie Zoologia 104:341-346.). At 1206 h on 20 March 2021, in Cañada de Luque, Córdoba Province, Argentina (30.7325°S, 63.7491°W; WGS 84; 255 m elev.) FC, JAC, FM, and JWP observed, filmed, and photographed a G. cuja attacking a B. diporus in the middle of sandy dirt road. The snake was coiling in a typical defensive posture and suffering repeated circular attacks by the G. cuja, apparently aimed to the head or just behind the head, as is typical of other ophiophagic mammals (Jackson 1979. Copeia 1979:169-172). Despite its defensive behavior, the snake suffered a serious injury on the left side of the head. When observers approached to get a closer view, the G. cuja retreated. As several vehicles approached, the snake fled to a bushy area out of our sight, but probably with mortal injuries. It has been reported previously that G. cuja prey secondarily on reptiles (Jackson 1979, op. cit.), however, this is the first case of a reported attack on B. diporus.