Nature Field Guide
Northern Forest Racer
- Spanish name
- Corredora de bosque
- Scientific name
- Dendrophidion percarinatum
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “What can we learn from this reptile’s shape?”
Tati: “Let’s notice its markings and habitat while leaving it plenty of space.”
Species overview
About the Northern Forest Racer
The northern forest racer has a slender body, a long tail and relatively large eyes. Narrow pale crossmarks on darker tones help create a pattern that blends with broken forest light.
It uses the ground and low vegetation in humid forest. Several related forest racers can occur in the same area, so a short sighting may not support a confident species name. Record the location and overall pattern from a distance. The question of identity can wait until the animal is safely on its way.
Identification
Key Features of the Northern Forest Racer
Slender body and long fine tail
Relatively large eyes
Narrow crossmarks along the body
Habitat & range
Humid lowland and foothill forests, including southwestern Costa Rica, Monteverde and Caribbean-slope localities.
Local observations
Native reptile recorded in Costa Rica. Presence depends on suitable habitat and locality.
When to observe
Observe on permitted paths with an adult or qualified guide. Activity varies by species, place and weather; never disturb a hiding or resting animal.
Conservation & care
Observe only from a distance with an adult or qualified guide. Never touch, catch, feed, corner or move any snake. Keep children and pets away. Colors, head shape and pupil shape must never be used to decide a snake is safe.
Threats & pressures
Protect natural shelters and connected habitat. Avoid collection, unnecessary clearing and deliberate killing. Leave wildlife in its habitat and support responsible observation.
Observation activity
Draw a branch and a snake as separate lines, then add their crossmarks. Notice how repeated lines break up an outline.
Explore by location
Caribbean · Central Highlands · Central Pacific · Northern Plains · South Pacific · Alajuela · Heredia · Limón · Puntarenas · San José · Monteverde