Guyana - Labaria - Pit viper...

Tavarua in the Jungles of Guyana

(All Photos by Tavarua)

The other night around 1:30 am walking through the jungles in Guyana to hunt for deer we came along a Labaria (seems like every night we are out this happen). Labaria is common in Suriname and Guyana as well as other South American countries although named different.  A pit viper, colors will differ - it can be olive, brown, gray, tan, rusty and yellow.  One of the most common pit vipers and not like many other species endangered.

Labaria - Pit viper - dead after our tracker killed it.

The diet consists of frogs, lizards, small mammals and birds. They are very quick agitated.  The venom is hemotoxin which affects the circulatory  nervous system -  a toxic protein.  The venom is very lethal and fast acting. It will paralyse you including nausea and blackouts. in addition, loss of short term memory.

Guyana - Iguana Recipe...

(All Photos by Tavarua)

 After having some really delicious curry Labba one evening,
one of my friends went to make an Iguana dish - Although this recipe was not followed here is one for you to try.

1 Iguana
5 Tbsp. Lemon juice
1 Tbsp. Curry powder (Special Madras)
5 Cloves garlic, crushed
1 onion, chopped
Leaves from 1 stalk celery, chopped
1 small hot pepper, chopped fine
2 chicken bouillon cubes/powder
2 Tbsp. Vegetable oil
2 tomatoes, chopped
salt and pepper

Bamboo Chicken...

It is easier to skin if you boil it for a few minutes.

Bon Voyage!