Researchers Find Seven Green Vine Snakes in Unexpected Brazilian Habitat — First Record for the Area

Rare arboreal snakes discovered at a mining site's forested clearing

Wildlife officials were called to a forested section of a mining site in Brazil after workers clearing vegetation discovered seven snakes among the felled plants. Specialists identified the animals as green vine snakes (Oxybelis fulgidus).

According to a report to The State and a paper published in the Journal of Biodiversity Data, this is the first documented record of the species in that particular habitat.

Arboreal species exposed by land clearing

Oxybelis fulgidus is primarily arboreal, living in trees and shrubs. The individuals were exposed when their tree-dwelling refuges were disturbed during vegetation removal at the site. One snake was injured in the clearing operation and subsequently treated, which allowed researchers a closer opportunity to examine it as it recovered.

Researchers described the injured specimen as reaching just over 6 feet in length with an "elongate, slender head, pointed snout, and a uniform green dorsal body surface."

Range implications and conservation value

Finding these green vine snakes in an arid region of the Brazilian savannah, hundreds of miles from areas where the species is usually reported (humid tropical forests), suggests the species' range may be broader or more flexible than previously believed. Such records are important for improving maps of species distributions, understanding habitat connectivity, and informing land-use planning.

The research team emphasized that the snakes' presence at the cleared patch "reinforces the importance of these ecosystems for the maintenance of local biodiversity," highlighting how even small forested pockets can support species typically associated with different biomes.

Monitoring and noninvasive methods

The researchers note that noninvasive monitoring tools, such as trail cameras and long-term observation stations, help detect and document wildlife without disturbing animals. These methods are especially useful for locating cryptic or arboreal species and for monitoring recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

Takeaway: The discovery underscores the value of careful biodiversity surveys and cautious vegetation clearing at development sites. Unexpected records like this one can change scientific understanding of a species' habitat preferences and distribution, informing conservation priorities.