THE EXHILARATION OF being so close to a potential legendary animal wore off after the first hour. Ah, the monotonous joys of research, where every exciting discovery was accompanied by at least ten times as much slog.
But I had plenty of hope that it would be over soon. Dusk was coming, and snakes were ectotherms. Once the sun was gone, this jaculus would probably retreat somewhere else for the night.
“It’s moving,” Gabriela’s voice alerted me.
My eyes moved to the camera, watching the lean body of the animal uncoil. Until I saw something in my peripheral vision and turned my attention to the windshield, catching sight of the jaculus’ head as it slithered its way down the glass. I watched its exposed underside, its sleek movements, in rapt attention. We could very well be the first peop
