Reptile rap 10 28june2010

Reptile Rap Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile Network

No.10, June 2010 Contents New locality record of Hemidactylus gracilis Blanford, 1870 (Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Nashik District, Maharashtra -- Zeeshan A. Mirza & Rajesh Sanap. Pp. 2-3

Record of Lygosoma albopunctata Gray, 1846 from Vansda forest and comments on its distribution in Gujarat State -- Raju Vyas, Pp. 4-5 First locality record of Chrysopelea ornata Shaw, 1802 from Kheonae Wildlife Sanctuary, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh -- Mukesh Ingle, Pp. 5-6 Distribution of Elachistodon westermanni in Gujarat -- Raju Vyas, Pp. 7-8 Additional records of the Keeled Rock Gecko Cyrtopodion scabrum (Heyden, 1827) from Kachchh District, Gujarat, India -- Manojkumar Pardeshi, V. Vijay kumar & Sanjay K. Das, Pp. 9-10 The records of Beddome’s Cat Snakes (Boiga beddomei) from Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat State, India -- Raju Vyas & Saurabh R. Desai, Pp. 10-13 Habituation and a typical feeding habit of Bengal Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis (Schneider) in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat -- Hiren Soni & M.S. Bushra Jarulla, Pp. 13-15

Observations on feeding behavior of a wild population of Marsh Crocodile in Baghdarrah Lake, Udaipur, Rajasthan -- Chhaya Bhatnagar & Meenakshi Mahur, Pp. 16-18 Spirurid infestation in Green Keelback Macropisthodon plumbicolor : a case study -- Pranav Pandit, Jaydev Page, M.W. Kahsnis & Aditya Ponkshe, P. 19.

Ninety-six young ones born to Russell’s Viper Daboia russelii -- Bilal Habib & Bharat Cheda, Pp. 20-21 A report on the unusual body weight of a hatchling Python molurus molurus -- C. Ramesh & S. Bhupathy, Pp. 22-23

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Artificial incubation, hatching and release of the Indian Rock Python Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758), in Nilambur, Kerala -- P. Balakrishnan, T.V. Sajeev & T.N. Bindu, Pp. 24-27 Dead King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah found near Srikakulam in northern coastal Andhra Pradesh -- K.L.N Murthy & K.V Ramana Murthy, Pp.27-28 Common Sand Boa -- R. Alexandar & J. Jayakumar, P. 28

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

New locality record of Hemidactylus gracilis Blanford, 1870 (Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Nashik District, Maharashtra

specimens were found in a dry and degraded habitat with patches of thorny shrubs. The geckos were sympatrically found with Hemidactylus cf. brookii, Europis sp. and Hottentotta tamulus.

Hemidactylus gracilis is reported to occur in Maharashtra at Mahavali,

Zeeshan A. Mirza 1 & Rajesh Sanap 2 1-13 Shiv Colony, Marol Police Camp, Andheri (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400059, India 2 D-5/ 2, Marol Police Camp, M.M. Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400059, India Email: 1 snakeszeeshan@gmail.com, 2 rajeshvsapan@gmail.com 1

1

The Slender Gecko, Hemidactylus gracilis is a nocturnal, medium sized (37mm snout to vent length; Smith 1935) terrestrial gecko belonging to the Tropical Asian Clade with H. reticulates, H. albofasciata and H. fasciatus being close relatives (Bauer et al. 2008). This species was described by Blanford based on four collected specimens, two each from “S. E. Berar [Yavatmal District, northeastern Maharashtra] and Raipur [Raipur District, Chhattisgarh (previously a part of Madhya Pradesh)]” (Bauer et al. 2005).

During a study of reptiles of Nashik District, the second author (RS) found two specimens of Hemidactylus gracilis on 29 November 2008

2

3

Images 1-3. Hemidactylus gracilis 1 - Dorso lateral aspect; 2 - Dorsal aspect showing tubercles; 3 - Precloacal Pore;

from under a rock at 1257hr in a small village near Sinnar (19057’15”N & 74001’39”E) (Images 1-3). One of the specimens was collected as voucher and is deposited in the collection of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS 1930).

The measurements and pholidosis of the specimen are provided in Table 1. Other characters and coloration match with the description provided by Smith (1935) and Bauer et al. (2005). Both the 2

Poona District; Wai and Alandi, Satara District; Chanda and Berar, Bilimora, as well as in Chhattisgarh at Raipur and in Andhra Pradesh at Nagarjunkonda Hill, Nalgonda District (Tikader & Sharma 1992; Sharma 2002). Later, Murthy (1990) summarized the distribution of this species by state, including Gujarat in its range. Vyas (2000a & 2000b) included H. gracilis in the review of reptiles of Gujarat but the authority

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Table 1. Mensual and meristic data for Hemidactylus gracilis from Nashik District, Maharashtra. All mensural data in mm.

Sharma, R.C. (2002). The Fauna of India and the Adjacent

Hemidactylus gracilis BNHS 1930

Parameters

Countries. Reptilia, Volume II Sau­ria. Zoological Survey of

Sex

Male

India, Kolkata. xxv+430pp.

Snout to Vent length

32.42

Smith, M.A. (1935). The Fauna

Tail length

1.04*

of

Axial to Groin length

15.98

Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia

Head length

5.20

and Amphibia. Vol. II.– Sauria.

Head Width

4.70

Taylor and Francis, London,

Head Depth

4.02

xiii+440 pp, 2 folding maps,

Maximum Eye Diameter

2.68

Distance from posterior border of orbit to anterior margin of ear

4.74

Distance from anterior border of orbit to tip of snout

4.54

Precloacal Pores

8/8

Infralabials Left/ Right

6/6

Lamellae under First Toe

5

Lamellae under Fourth Toe

6

Including

1pl.

(1992).

Handbook

Indian

lizards. Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta, xv+250pp, 42 pl.

Vyas,

R.

2000a.

Comments

on “A synopsis of reptiles of Gujarat, India”. Hamadryad

* - Tail broken

cited by him (Gleadow 1887) was incorrect as pointed by Bauer et al. (2005). Recently, Bauer et al. (2005) reported this species from Chatushringi Hill, Pune, Maharashtra.

The present locality in Nashik extends the gecko’s known range (from Pune) to ca. 158km in airline distance. The distribution of Hemidactylus gracilis remains poorly known (Bauer et al.

2005) and in this respect the report of the occurrence of this species from Nashik District is noteworthy. It is possible that this species might also occurs in northern Maharashtra but more intensive surveys are needed to prove this as the northern and central part of Maharashtra still remains poorly explored in terms of its reptilian fauna.

India,

Tikader B.K. & R.C. Sharma

6

Supralabials Left/ Right

British

25: 203- 207.

Vyas, R. (2000b). A review of

References Bauer,

the reptile studies in Gujarat

A.M.,

Kehimkar

V. &

(2005).

I.

Giri,

S.

Agarwal

state.

Zoos’

Print

Journal

15(12): 386-390.

Notes

on Acknowledgement Hemidactylus gracilis Blanford The authors would like to 1870, a poorly known Indian thank Varad Giri for his comments gecko. Gekko 4(2): 2–7.

and help. They would also like to E. thank Jackin Kedia for recording Greenbaum, T.R. Jackmsn, the coordinates

Bauer,

A.M.,

M.S.

V.

Dharne

Shouche (2008).

Giri, &

Y.S.

On

the

systematics of the gekkonid genus

Teratolepis

Günther,

1869: another one bites the dust. Hamadryad 32: 13–27.

Gleadow,

F.

(1887).

Description of a new lizard from the “Dangs”. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 2: 49-51.

Murthy, T.S.N. (1990). A Field Book

of

Lizards

of

India.

Records of Zoological Survey of India, Occasional Papers 115: 1-122.

3

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

Record of Lygosoma albopunctata Gray, 1846 found under decayed leaf litter and dead barks of trees. The from Vansda forest and comments on its species is uncommon in the distribution in Gujarat State Raju Vyas 505, Krishnadeep Tower, Mission Road, Fatehgunj, Vadodara, Gujarat 390002, India Email: razoovyas@hotmail.com

The White-spotted Supple Skink Lygosoma albopunctata (Gray, 1846) is one of the common skinks and is widely distributed in India (Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Assam and West Bengal) and Nepal (Royal Chitwan National Park) (Smith 1935; Tikader & Sharma 1992; Sharma 2002).

A few earlier published records show that the species is also distributed in a few districts of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad (Acharya 1949), Gir Forest (Bhatt et al. 1999) and Kheda (Gayen 1999).

During the herpetofaunal exploration of southern Gujarat, a few adult specimens of the supple-skink were collected from Navsari District. On examination two specimens were identified as White-spotted Supple Skink (L. albopunctata). The morphometric data of both specimens are mentioned in Table 1. Both are deposited in the museum of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS # 1890 & 1891), Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The present recorded site of the species is from Navtad Village, Vansda Tehsil,

Navsari District. The locality is part of the Western Ghats and has moist deciduous forest on the border of Vansda National Park (VNP).

During the ‘Biodiversity study of Vansda National Park’, Vyas (2004) was able to record 41 species of reptiles of 31 genera belonging to eleven different families.

The L. albopunctata is not mentioned in the list of VNP and similarly the species is not listed in herpetofauna of southern Gujarat (Daniel & Shull 1963). The present record of the species from VNP is the first record from the area and from southern Gujarat.

The Vansda National Park is located between 20051’16’’-21021’22”N & 73020’30”-73031’20”E in Navsari District.

The area of the park has hilly terrain of moderate altitudes from 110 to 360 m. These hills are extensions of Sahyadri range. The forest of VNP is of southern Indian tropical moist deciduous forest type and further is classified as subtype: southern moist mixed deciduous forests, bamboo breakes and tropical riverine forest (Champion & Seth 1968).

All the specimens were 4

area in comparison to other two species of supple skink, L puncatata and L. guentheri.

Undigested state of a skink specimen was found in the gut-contents of Cattle Egret (Bubulcu ibis) during the ‘Ecology Study: Birds Central Gujarat’. Such gut-contents were collected from ‘mix egret nesting colony of Karamsad Town, Anand District. This is a clear indication of the fact that the species inhabits Anand District (previously a part of Kheda District) and supports the earlier record of species from Khambhat

by Gayen (1999).

Present information on the species indicates that it inhabits various types of habitat and is widely distributed in the entire state.

References Acharya, H.N. (1949). List of reptiles from Gujarat state.

Prakurti

8:

156-178.

(In

Gujarati) Bhatt, K., R. Vyas & M. Singh (1999). Herpetofauna of Gir protected area. Zoos’

Print

14(5): 27-30.

Champion, H.G. & S.K. Seth (1968). A Revised Survey of the Forest Types of India.

Govt. of India, Delhi, 404pp.

Daniel,

J.C.

&

E.M.

Shull

(1963). A list of the reptiles and

amphibians

of

Surat,

Dangs, south Gujarat, Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 60: 737-743.

Gayen, N.C. (1999). A synopsis of the reptiles of Gujarat,

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Table 1. Morphometric data of Lygosoma albopunctata (Gray, 1846), from Navtad, Navsari District, Gujarat, deposited in the collection of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHM # 1890 & 1891).

Measurements (in mm) From tip of snout to vent

SVL

From cloaca to tail tip

BNHM 1891

Lizards. Zoological Survey of

42.00

India, Calcutta, 250pp.

57.00

55.00

97.00

97.00

DFL-ST

14.00

14.00

Axilla to groin distance

A-G

35.00

36.00

Upper labials (touching eye) no. Right/Left

UL R/L

7/7 (5th large & touch to eye)

7/7 (5th large & touch to eye)

Lower labials Right/Left

LL R/L

7/7

7/7

Dorsal body scale rows

DO-SR

26

26

Body scale smooth, lower eyelid scaly

Body scale smooth, lower eyelid scaly

Remarks

western

India.

Hamadryad

24(1): 1-22.

countries,

Reptilia

Vol.

II

M.A.

of

Vansda

National

Park,

Gujarat. Zoos’ Print Journal 19(6): 1512 - 1514.

Acknowledgements

I am highly indebted to Dr. H.S. Singh, Ex-Director, GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar for the logistic help and for granting permission for this study. Thanks

(1935).

Fauna Scientist, AINP on Agricultural of British India, Reptile & Ornithology, Gujarat Agricultural Amphibian Vol. II. Taylor and University, Anand, Gujarat.

First locality record of Chrysopelea ornata Shaw, 1802 from Kheonae Wildlife Sanctuary, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh Mukesh Ingle Snake Research Organization, Vasant Vihar, C-Sector Nanakheda Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh 456010, India Email:mukeshingle@gmail.com

A rare species of reptile, the Golden Tree or Gliding Snake Chrysopelea Ornata was recorded from the Kheonae Wildlife Sanctuary of Dewas District of Madhya Pradesh. For the past year, the Snake Research Organization at Ujjain has been working on the herpetofaunal diversity of the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary (22030’N & 76045’E, area134.778km2) represents the unique ecosystem of central India, i.e., Vindhyachal hill range and valleys.

During

Vyas, R. (2004). Herpetofauna

to Mr. M. P. Joshi, RFO, VNP for (Sauria). Zoological Survey of accompanying us in field works.

India, Kolkata, 430pp.

Also thanks to Dr. B.M. Parasharya,

Sharma, R.C. (2002). The Fauna Smith, of India and the Adjacent

(1992). Hand Book Indian

40.00

TL

Distance from forelimb to snout tip

Tikader, B.K. & R.C. Sharma

BNHM 1890

TBL

Total body length

Francis, London, 185pp.

Bihar; Orissa; West Bengal; forests of northeastern India; and possibly Maharashtra and Gujarat. Murthy (1986, 1990) first showed its distribution in Madhya Pradesh but did not mention a specific locality.

This is the first precise locality record of Chrysopelea ornata Shaw from Madhya Pradesh.

Earlier reports (Agrawal 1981; Kalaiarasan 1991; Vyas 1998 Chandra & Gajbe 2004; Ingle 2001-2003-2004) did not record the occurrence of this species in Madhya Pradesh

the above period, intensive herpetofaunal surveys totaling about thirty days were carried out and data of various groups of reptiles and amphibians were collected.

I observed a few interesting species; one Morphometry of Golden Tree of them was identified as snake Chrysopelea ornata Shaw, the Golden Tree Snake.

I 1802 male from Kheonae WS observed the specimen on 05 Particulars April 2008.

Chrysopelea ornata 81cm. has been recorded from the Snout-vent length Tail 28cm forested hills of the southwest, 109cm (south of the Goa Gap); Total length 5

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

The Golden Tree Snake was observed and photographed in Lendawa Nallah area, near Ratanpur (India- 36km SW, 22066’N & 76052’E) of Kheonae Wildlife Sanctuary. It was seen in a clump of large bamboo on a hilly track. This small-sized slender and active arboreal snake is very handsome. It is one of the most spectacular snakes because of its ability to glide through the air. It is essentially an arboreal species which shows a marked preference for large trees and thick forests.

References Agrawal, H.P. (1981). On a collection of reptiles from Madhya Pradesh, India. The India Journal of Zootomy 22(3):

203-206 Chandra, K. & P.U. Gajbe (2005). An Inventory of Herpetofauna of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Zoos’ Print Journal 20(3): 1812-1819 Daniel, J.C. (1992). The Book of Indian Reptiles. Oxford University Press, Bombay, 8687pp.

Das, I. (2002). Snakes and other Reptiles of India. New Holland Publishers, (UK) Ltd., 27pp.

Ingle, M. (2001). Snakes of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain & Malwa Region. Cobra 45: July-Sept.

Ingle, M. (2003). Ecology & Status of the Ophiofauna of Eight Districts of Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh. Cobra 50(Oct-Dec.): 1-17.

Ingle, M. (2004): Ophiofauna of Ujjain & certain Areas of Malwa Region (Madhya Pradesh), Records of the Zoological Survey of India 103(part 1-2): 17-31 Murthy, T.S.N. (1986). The Snake 6

Book of India. International Book Distributor, Dehradun, 29pp.

Murthy, T.S.N. (1990). Illustrated guide to the Snakes of Western Ghats, India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 36pp.

Smith, M.A. (1943). Fauna of British India, Reptilia and Amphibia, Vol.3, Serpentes.

Taylor & Francis, London, xii + 584pp.

Whitaker, R. & A. Captain (2008). Snakes of India, The Field Guide. Draco Books, Tamilnadu, 160-161pp.

Acknowledgement

The author is thankful to the Advisory Board and Scientific Research Committee of Snake Research Organisation, Ujjain for providing necessary facilities, encouragement and funding; Dr. K. Chandra, Joint Director, Central Regional Station, Zoological Survey of India, Jabalpur for providiing some technical support for identification; CWLW of Madhya Pradesh and DFO of Dewas District for permission to carry out the field work.

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

Distribution of Elachistodon westermanni in Gujarat Raju Vyas 505, Krishnadeep Apartments, Mission Road, Fatehgunj, Vadodara, Gujarat 390002, India Email: razoovyas@hotmail.com

The Indian Egg-eater, Elachistodon westermanni, listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is one of the rarest of snakes in South Asia. This species is unique in food habits as it completely depends on small eggs similar to its African relative.

It swallows small eggs, breaks the shell using specially developed projection on the cervical vertebrae, consumes the contents of the eggs and regurgitates the shells (Dange 2008). The Indian Egg-eater was described by Reinhardt (1863) based on a single female specimen collected from Rungpore (Rangpur) and Jalpaiguri District of Bengal (now both in Bangladesh).

This species was considered as rare owing to its small distributional range (West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Bihar in India, Rangpur in Bangladesh and Chitwan District in Nepal) (Fig. 1) and few representations in museum collections (Smith 1943; Daniel 2002). This species was even believed to be extinct (Murty et al 1993).

Captain et al. (2005) and Nande & Deshmukh (2007) reported this species from Wardha and Amravati of Maharashtra State which are far away from its previously known range. An unidentified picture of a snake species from Gujarat State (Vyas 2006) indicated that the occurrence of this species in the outskirts Bhavanagar and

Figure 1. Distributional records of E. westermanni from various localities of India, Nepal and Bangladesh 7

Surat City. I have made an attempt to locate this species in other parts of Gujarat with the help of individuals and non governmental organizations, especially those involved in snake conservation and rescue. While examining the photographs taken by them, Elachistodon westermanni was recorded additionally from four locations.

This species was earlier (wrongly) identified as aberrant forms of Indian Trinket Snake Coelognthus helena or Buffstriped Keelback Amphiesma stolatea. Details on the records are as follows:

1.

Elachistodon westermanni, total length 430mm, near Jesar Town (Amreli District), rainy day, August 2006, thorny scrub and open degraded area, road kill, photographer Mr. Arun Devani, Madhopur.

2. A live specimen, 1000mm, September 2007, Man Khetra Village (near Mangrol Town, Junagadh District), agricultural fields, collected and photographed

by Mr. Arun Devani. According to Mr. Devani, the snake was quiet and timid, and never showed any aggression while handling.

3.

A live snake, 600mm, closer to Victoria Park, Bhavnagar, thorny scrub and open degraded area, 03 October 2007 photographed

by Mr. Navnit Dalavadi (Image 1).

Vyas (2006) reported this species from the same location earlier.

4. A live snake, 400mm, Sasan (about 5km west),

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Maharashtra State, India.

Russian Journal of Herpetology 12(2): 121-123.

Dandge, P.S. (2008). Food and feeding habits of Elachistodon wesrermannni Reinhardt, 1863.

Hamadryad 32(1): 75-77.

Daniel, J.C. (2002). The Book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibians.

Bombay Natural History Society/Oxford University Press, Bombay, 238pp.

Murty, T.S.N., D.P Sanyal & B. Duttagupta (1993). Rare snakes of India. The Snake 25: 135-140. © Navnit Dalavadi Nande R. & S. Deshmukh (2007). Snakes of Amravati Image 1. Habitat - the thorny deciduous forest of Victoria Park of Bhavnagar District including Melghat, District, source of second specimen of E. westermanni found (in inset) Maharashtra, with important records of the Indian eggeater, Montane trinket snake and Indian smooth snake.

Zoos’ Print Journal 22(12): 2920-2924 (web supplements 3 pages).

Reinhardt, J. (1863). “Om en ny Slaegt af Slangefamilien Rachidontidae”, Overs.

K. Danske Vidensk. Selsk. Forth 1(2): 198-210+plate 1.

Smith, M.A. (1943). The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. III. Serpentes.

Taylor and Francis, London.

Vyas, R. (2006). Story of a snake’s © Kartik Upadhayay photograph from Gujarat and notes on further distribution Image 2. First photographic records of Indian egg-eater snake from Gir of the Indian egg-eater snake.

Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park, Junagadh Herpinstance 3(2): 1-4.

Junagadh District, Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, near agricultural fields and dry deciduous forest, 20 October 2008 photographed

by Mr. Kartik Upadhayay and collected by Yogendra Shah (Image 2).

The above records show that this little known species is widely distributed in many districts and vegetation types in Gujarat. This also indicates the adaptability of Elachistodon

westermanni. Further surveys and comparative genetic analyses of samples collected from Maharatstra, Gujarat and Himalaya are urgently needed.

References Captain, A., F. Tillack, A. Gumprecht & P. Dandge (2005).

First record of Elachistodon westermanni Reinhardt, 1863 (Serpentes, Colubridae, Colubrinae) from 8

Acknowledgements

I am very thankful to Bhavesh Trivedi (Rajkot), Arun Devani (Madhopur), Piyush Lashkari (Bhavanagar), Kartik Upadhayay (Vadodara) and Yogendra Shah (Surendranagar) for providing me information and photographs of the snake.

I am also grateful to Varad Giri, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai and Ashok Captain, Pune for providing literature on the species.

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

Additional records of the Keeled Rock Gecko Cyrtopodion scabrum (Heyden, 1827) from Kachchh District, Gujarat, India Manojkumar Pardeshi1,3, V. Vijay kumar1,4 & Sanjay K. Das2,5 1 Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, Mundra Road, PO Box # 83, Bhuj (Kachchh), Gujarat 370001, India 2 University School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Kashmere Gate, Delhi 110006, India Email: 3 manojkumarpardeshi@gmail.com, 4 vijay196129@gmail.com, 5 sanjaypipuna@rediffmail.com

Keeled Rock Gecko Cyrtopodion scabrum is a widely distributed species and it ranges from Egypt to northwestern India (Smith 1935). In South Asia, it is restricted to Pakistan and India (Das 1994), and has been reported from Jodhpur, Bhilwara, Barmer and Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan (Sharma & Vazirani 1977; Sharma 1996, 2002). This species falls under Data Deficient (DD) category (Molur & Walker 1998).

From Gujarat state, first record of C. scabrum was from hills near Kazipur Village of Mahesana District (23057’17.2”N

& 72043’37.3”E); hills of Naliyawada Village of Sabarkantha District (23055’30”N & 73008’00”E) and from near Pansa Village of Banaskantha District (24017’N & 72050’E) of northern Gujarat region (NGR) (Das et al.

2005). This species was also subsequently reported from Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary, Banaskanta District of northern Gujarat region (Vyas 2007; GEER 2009). All these sightings were from rocky substrate in dry, deciduous forests of northern Gujarat.

Kachch District of Gujarat State is well known for an endemic gecko Cyrtopodion kachhensis. However, during

the biodiversity survey in the western part of Kachchh District, we came across C. scabrum (Image 1) at two localities, i.e., at reserve forest areas of Ratipar Village, Lakhpat Taluka ( 23051’22”N & 68056’83”E) (69m) and Paneli Village, Nakhatrana Taluka (23035’42”N & 68058’00”E) (75m). The present record of this species constitutes an additional record from the state. So, Kachchh District has now two species of the genus Cyrtopodion i.e. C. kachhensis and C. scabrum.

Habitat

Both recent records were from the river side, rocky area of scrub forest which coincides with the previous records from rocky areas of NGR. The first was under the boulder and the second was in the crevice of a cave.

The main vegetation of this area is Acacia nilotica, Acacia senegal, Prosopis juliflora, Zizyphus nimmularia, Grewia tenex, and Cordia perrottetii.

In the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, this species was recorded from rocky hillsides, sandy desert with sparse xerophytic vegetation, dry grassland, and also from the houses and under rubble, stones and bricks (Sharma 2002).

References Das, I. (1994). The reptiles of South Asia: checklist and distributional

summary.

Hamadryad 19: 15-40.

Das, S.K., J. Joshua, S.F.W.

Image 1. A Cyrtopodion scabrum with regenerated tail 9

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Sundarraj & M.K. Pardeshi

India,

(2005). First record of the

175pp.

Coimbatore,

India,

Taylor and Francis, London, Xiii+430pp.

Keeled rock Gecko Cyrtopodion Sharma, R.C. & T.G. Vazirani Vyas, R. (2007). The earliest scabrum from

(Heyden,

Gujarat

state,

1827)

(1977). Food and feeding

record of the Keeled Rock Gecko

India.

habits of some reptiles of

(Cyrtopodion

Rajasthan.

from

Gujarat

Chit

Chat

Herpinstance 3 (1): 1-3.

GEER (2009). The status of Biodiversity of Jessore Wildlife

Records

Economic

and

socio-

study).

Ecological

Gujarat

Education

and

the

State, 19:

India.

14-17.

77-93.

Sanctuary (A comprehensive Sharma, ecological

of

Zoological Survey of India 73:

scabrum)

(1996). Acknowledgements

R.C.

Herpetology Desert,

of

the

Thar

pp.297-306.

Ghosh,

A.K.,

Q.H.

In:

I

am

thankful

to

Dr.

Baquri, Pankaj N. Joshi and Mr. Rohit

Research (GEER) Foundation,

& I. Prakash (eds.). Faunal Patel for identification of flora.

Gandhinagar

Diversity

and

Department, of

Forest

Government

Gujarat,

March

2009,

Molur, S. & S. Walker (Eds.).

(1998).

Report

workshop

of

the

Thar

Desert; I am also grateful to GMDC

R.C.

Mineral

Corporation)

Publishers, Jodhpur.

Sharma,

167pp.

in

Gaps in Research. Scientific (Gujarat (2002).

for

Development funding

to

The conduct biodiversity assessment

Fauna of India and Adjacent of the western Kachchh region.

Countries - Reptilia. Vol. II., My sincere thanks extended to

“Conservation

Sauria.

Director,

Assessment and Management

Survey

of

Plan for Reptiles of India”

Xxv+430pp.

India,

Zoological Mr. R.L. Meena, CCF, and Gujarat Kolkata. State

Forest

Department

for

their permission and valuable

(BCPP- Endangered Species Smith, M.A. (1935). The Fauna cooperation.

Project).

Zoo

Organisation, Breeding

Outreach Conservation

Specialist

Group,

of

British

India,

including

Ceylon and Burma. Reptilian and Amphibian. Vol. II, Sauria.

The record of Beddome’s Cat Snake Boiga beddomei from Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat State, India Raju Vyas 1 & Saurabh R. Desai 2 1 505, Krishnadeep Tower, Mission Road, Fatehgunj, Vadodara, Gujarat 390002, India 2 9- Chintan Apartments, Ravishankar Sankul, Nr. Bhataar Roads,Surat, Gujarat 395017, India Email: 1 razoovyas@hotmail.com, 2 wingsinspace@yahoo.com

The first author (RV) received a few colored photographs of a snake from the second author (SD) for the identification and confirmation of the species.

The photographs of the snake were taken near Mahal Village, Dangs District in the month of November 2007.

During the second week of November 2007, SD was on a motorbike and he rushed to reach the Forest Guest House, Mahal, Dangs because Chikla Camp (every winter vacation the Nature Club, Surat establishes a nature education camp at Chikla, Dangs) site was not 10

Image 1. A bamboo forest habitat where from the Beddome’s Cat Snake wasfound, near Mahal at Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Dangs, Gujarat, India

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 2

3

Images 2 & 3. First record of Beddome’s Cat Snake (Boiga beddomei) from Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Dangs, Gujarat, is the Protected Area in most northern end of Western Ghaths, India.

in condition for stay at night.

Heavy rains from two days had turned the entire camp site unfit for stay. Therefore a few volunteers of Nature Club, Surat left the ‘Chikala Camp’ site and rushed to Forest Guest House, Mahal, Dangs.

On that occasion SD spotted a snake under the head lights of his motorbike at 2330hr, on the way from Mahal Village about 4km away from Chikla Village.

The snake was crossing the road and trying to enter the nearby bamboo clump

(Dendrocalamus strictus) (Image 1). SD stopped the bike and prevented the snake from entering the bamboo clump. The snake was 0.6m and very thin with a triangular head and large eyes. The body colour was brown along with black-brown zigzag bands present on back, right from neck to the posterior end of tail and a dark brown strip running behind eyes posteriorly up to the neck.

Belly yellow, anterior most ventral scales having black dots.

On first impression 11

it seemed like a cat snake species but the body colour marking did not match with any cat snake species found in Gujarat State. SD took a few colour snaps and left the snake (Images 2 & 3).

On examination of the photographs it is clear that the snake is one of the members belonging to the Genus Boiga and its body colour and marking patterns do not match with the two cat snake species formally reported from the state: Boiga trigonata (Vyas 1993, 1998; Gayen 1999; Sharma 2000; Daniel 2002; Whitaker & Captain 2004) and B. forsteni (Daniel & Shull 1963; Vyas in press). This photographic evidence of the cat snake clearly indicates that there is one more species of a Boiga inhabiting in the Mahal forests of Gujarat State.

The body colors and marking patterns are very similar to Boiga ceylonensis (Gunther, 1869), Boiga beddomei (Wall 1909), or even Boiga nuchalis (Gunther, 1875). According to Smith (1943) last two cat snake species are subspecies of Boiga ceylonensis, but these three species of Boiga are very distinct morphological ly (may be genetically also) and presently are three distinct species. Beddome’s Cat and Collared Cat snakes are visually indistinguishable from the Ceylon Cat Snake except for the value of their ventrals and subcaudal scales, which are found higher in B. beddomei (Whitaker &

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Captain 2004) and B. nuchalis possesses higher numbers of mid body scales (Smith 1943) along with collar-shaped marking on the body. Usually, most of the snakes have an equal number of ventrals and subcaudals corresponding to equal numbers of mid-dorsal body scales row from neck to tip of tail. And here ventrals are counted over 355+ approximately (excluding subcaudals scales) and mid body scale rows 19 in one of the images and lack of collarshaped markings on the body. Therefore the snake in photograph is deduced to be Boiga beddomei species. The record of B. beddomei from Mahal, Dangs forest is a part of Purna Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS), Gujarat State (Figure 1).

The PWS is the northern most end of Western Ghats and encompasses of 160.84 km2 of moist deciduous forest and is geographically located in between coordinates 0 0 20 51’15”-21 31’ 22”N & 73032’20”-73048’30”E. According to Champion & Seth (1968) the forest of PWS is of southern Indian tropical moist deciduous forests type and southern moist mixed deciduous forests, bamboo brakes and tropical riperine forest subtypes. The sanctuary has hilly terrain ranging from 130 to 574m.

The sanctuary has a very rich flora and fauna. Total 520 species of plants belonging to 78 families from 295 genera are recorded from the park’s forest, of which 78 species are

Figure 1. Map of Purna Wildlife Sanctuary and location site of sighting of the species.

of trees, 32 types of shrubs and herbs, over 20 species of climbers and 16 species of grasses. Also, the park is a home of diverse vertebrates’ faunal species, 14 species of amphibians, 142 species of birds and 24 mammalian species (Pandey et al. 2004).

The climate is subtropically arid, which turns humid during the monsoon.

Rainfall occurs from July to September and occasionally in winter, also. Annual average rainfall records are 900-950 mm in the area during the last decade. Gradually it becomes exceedingly dry and cold during November to February followed by a long hot summer, the hottest months being May and June. Mean annual temperature of the sanctuary is 25.50C with a maximum of 450C and a minimum of 70C.

Recently Vyas (2007b) listed 37 species of reptiles from the sanctuary, including 12

two species of turtles, 13 species of lizards and 22 species of snakes, but Boiga beddomei is not in the list.

Therefore the present record of the species from Mahal, Dangs is the first record of the species from the sanctuary.

Boiga beddomei has not previously been recorded from Gujarat (Gayen 1999; Vyas 1998, 2007a; Sharma 2000), thus, the records presented here represents not only a significant northern range extension for the species, but also a new state record.

The Boiga beddomei is widely distributed in Western Ghats (Maharashtra to Kerala and Tamil Nadu) and Eastern Ghats (Ganjam District) of India, and in Sri Lanka (Whitaker & Captain 2004).

The present record from Mahal, Dangs is now the northern most distribution limit of the species in Western Ghats and is approximately 200km from

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 the nearest recorded locality Bhimashankar.

B. Jethva & A. Aiyadurai

distribution. Tigerpaper 25(1):

(2004).

8-14.

The

Status

of

Biodiversity in Purna Wildlife Vyas,

References

conservation

Reptile fauna in Gujarat Stat,

and

socio-

economic Ecological

of The Forest Types of India.

Research (GEER) Foundation, Vyas,

Manager

Gandhinagar

study).

Gujarat

Education and

India.

and

scenario

The

Indian

Forest

R.

fauna

(2007b). of

Department, Government of

Sanctuary,

Gujarat, August 2004, 150pp.

Reptile Rap 8: 10-15

(2002).

Forester Reptilian

Purna

Delhi, 404pp.

J.C.

of

133(10): 1381-1394.

Government of India, New Daniel,

Present

ecological (1967). A Revised Survey Publication,

(2007a).

Sanctuary (A comprehensive

Champion, H.G. & S.K. Seth

of

R.

Gujarat,

Wildlife India.

The Sharma, R.C. (2000). Reptilia, Vyas R. (in press). Discussion pp. 243-297. In: State Fauna on snake fauna of Gujarat

Book of Indian Reptiles and

Amphibians. Bombay Natural

Series 8: Fauna of Gujarat,

state,

History

Part – I. Zoological Survey of

records of snakes. Journal of

India, Kolkata.

the Bombay Natural History

Society/Oxford

University

Press,

Bombay,

Smith, M.A. (1943). The Fauna

238pp.

Daniel,

J.C.

&

E.M.

Shull

of

British

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with

some

notable

Society

including Whitaker, R. & A. Captain

(1963). A list of the reptiles

Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia

(2004). Snakes of India -

and

and

The Field Guide. Draco Books,

amphibians

of

Surat,

Dangs, South Gujarat. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 60: 737-743.

Gayen, N.C. (1999): A synopsis

Amphibia.

Vol.

III.

Serpentes. Taylor and Francis,

Chennai, India, xiv+481pp.

London, 583pp.

Vyas, on

R. some

Studies Acknowledgement

(1993). snakes

I

thank

Snehal

Patel,

western

India, PhD Thesis, Bhavnagar logistic support and help during

Hamadryad

Gujarat

state, President, Nature Club, Surat for

Reptilia)

India.

of

(Ophidia-

of the reptiles of Gujarat,

University, Bhavnagar, India, the field trips. Also, special thanks

24(1): 1-22.

Pandey, C.N., S.P. Patel, C.

187pp. (Unpublished).

to Mr. Varad Giri, Bombay Natural

Society, Mumbai for B.H. Vyas, R. (1998). The reptiles History of Gujarat state: Updated providing literatures for this study.

Patel, R. Vyas, P. Trivedi, Chavan,

H.

Salvi,

Habituation and a typical feeding habit of Bengal Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis (Schneider) in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat Hiren Soni 1 & M.S. Bushra Jarulla 2 Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Study & Research in Biotechnology & Allied Sciences (ARIBAS), New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat 388120, India Email: 1 hirensoni@yahoo.com

1,2

The animal wealth of India is about 75,500 species, of which 420 species are reptiles belonging to 137 genera and 26 families.

Among herpetofauna of India,

lizards form one of the largest groups comprising 158 species (Rao 1997).

Over the past few years, man has extensively exploited these creatures including monitor 13

lizards for food and his social needs. Monitor lizards are also eaten by tribal people in many provinces of the country and are a good source of leather.

Presently, Monitors are facing threats due to various types of anthropogenic activities such as illegal export of skin, manufacturing of musical instruments, extraction of oil for medicines for body ailments and meat for food (Thanh 1996).

In some parts of India (Chintapalle Area, Visakhapatnam, Andhra

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Pradesh), they are even killed as a matter of superstition (that these animals are the most poisonous animals) due to their weird appearance.

Live monitors are used in fertility rites (believed to have aphrodisiac values), and serpent festivals.

In recent past, over-hunting and habitat loss has resulted in these species being included in under Schedule I (Part II) of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Presently, the greatest threat to lizard population is permanent habitat alteration or destruction, especially in the complex and poorly understood regions of the world.

In India, four types of monitor lizards occur viz.

Bengal Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis, Water Monitor Lizard Varanus salvator, Desert Monitor Lizard Varanus griseus and Yellow Monitor Lizard Varanus flavescens.

Of these, the Bengal Monitor Lizard is very commonly found in the tropical, sub-tropical and almost all biotopes from evergreen forests to dry grasslands; but their numbers are receding very rapidly.

Although these creatures are relatively large in size, they mostly feed on insects such as ants, snails and beetles.

They also eat animals such as ground birds, fish, frogs, snakes, other lizards and small mammals (Wikipedia 2008).

The present observation reports the preference of Bengal Monitor

Lizard to urban environment of the Department of Biosciences, S.P. University of Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India, associated with its unusual feeding habit.

Study Area

Vallabh Vidyanagar (25034’N & 72054’E) with a human population of around 35,000 is a unique educational township, developed as a center for higher education in rural surroundings. It is about 2km from Karamsad (West), the hometown of Late Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and 5km from Anand, the Milk Capital of India (East). It lies in the heart of Anand District, Gujarat State, India. The township became functional in 1947 and Sardar Patel University started functioning in 1956. The lush green campus of Biosciences department spreads over 2km; a quiet and peaceful place adjacent to urban distractions, and an ideal place for studying biodiversity elements due to its rich flora and fauna.

Observations

The present investigation was made at the Department of Biosciences (DOB) a remote and isolated educational premise situated 3km (North) from Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat. Although DOB is far from Vallabh Vidyanagar, it is adjoined by human settlements (societies, complexes, apartments, 14

duplexes, twins, flats, etc.).

The premise is covered by a small wetland (Bakrol Pond, West) and open sparse fallow land (East). The premise is 3-storeyed having teaching rooms and research lab of which, the Biotechnology lab is situated on the ground floor, and is visited by 7 to 8 researchers (~12 hrs/day).

In the first week of October 2007, during our lunch hour (at around 1300hr), we saw a single adult Bengal Monitor Lizard entering from the rear window (where the open sparse fallow land exists) into the lab, hiding under the chemical cupboard, placed on a black granite platform. After 10 to 15 minutes, it exited through the same window into its natural habitat. On the next day at the same time, it entered the lab from the same window, and hid itself under an incubator, placed on the same platform. After few minutes, it exited. This behaviour was observed at least for a week. As the days passed by the lizard spent more and more time (20 to 30 minutes per day) in the lab under an incubator. This behaviour was observed for about two weeks.

Gradually, it started to come out from hiding and learnt to keep a safe distance of ~1 m from us. We noticed that the lizard ran away by our arm gestures. After 30 days it had successfully habituated to us.

The security night watchman reported that the lizard had stopped exiting from the window to its natural

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Biodiversity and Biodiversity habitat after evening hours.

Loss. Paper presented during As per his night patrolling ‘Seminar on Environment and remarks, the lizard started Development in Vietnam’, at liberally moving hither and Australian National University. thither into the lab; searching On-line web source: http:// for food (insects, flies, beetles, coombs.anu.edu.au/~vern/ spiders, ants, etc.), and then env_dev/papers/pap02.html safely returned to its ‘hide’.

(Accessed on 23th December It was observed that during 2008) most of the hours of the day (2008) Bengal (in our presence), it remained Wikipedia Monitor. On-line web source: under ‘hide’, except during http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ lunch hours.

Bengal_monitor (Accessed on

When a ‘Roti’ was Reptile Rap is registered under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 23th December 2008) offered the lizard started Unported License, which allows its movement at a snail’s unrestricted use of articles in any medium for non-profit purposes, pace towards us keeping a reproduction and distribution by safe distance of 0.5m from providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publius, smelled the food and cation. returned to its ‘hide’. After a week the lizard sat near us, OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD took the ‘Roti’, and went back to it’s ‘hide’. This became a routine exercise/pastime for us as well as the lizard.

It ate ‘Fries / Yellow Pipes’ sitting in a close proximity to Number 10, June 2010 us. This behaviour lasted for Editor: Sanjay Molur Editorial Advisor: Sally Walker two weeks. The lizard was now absolutely habituated SARN Co-chairs: Sanjay Molur & S. Bhupathy to our presence (including our habitual gestures!) and REPTILE RAP is the Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile offerings of food. This lasted Network (SARN). for three weeks.

The Lizard left the REPTILE RAP is published by Zoo Outreach Organisation premise at the time of shifting and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group South Asia as a of our laboratory, which took service to the South Asian reptile conservation community as almost a month.

REPTILE RAP

well as conservation actioners and enthusiasts at large.

References Rao, R.J. (1997). Suryey of the consrevation status of Monitor lizards (Varanus sp.) in India.

On-line web source: http:// envfor.nic.in/divisions/re/ ta5p5.html (Accessed on 23th December 2008) Thanh,

V.

Ngoc

(1996).

For communication: South Asian Reptile Network c/o Zoo Outreach Organisation, 9-A, Lal Bahadur Colony, PB 1683, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641004, India Ph: +91 422 2561743, 2561087; Fax: +91 422 2563269 Email: herpinvert@gmail.com REPTILE RAP is available online at www.zoosprint.org 15

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

Observations on feeding behavior of a wild population of Marsh Crocodile in Baghdarrah Lake, Udaipur, Rajasthan

studied during a period of one year, from June 2007 to May, 2008.

Chhaya Bhatnagar 1 & Meenakshi Mahur

Study area and methods

2

Department of Zoology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India Email: 1bhatnagarchhaya@yahoo.co.in; 2meenakshimahur@ymail.com

Crocodiles, alligators, caiman, gharials and false gharials make up the crocodilian group which has survived for about 200 millions years. In India, three species of crocodiles occur naturally: Estuarine or Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylus porosus (Schneider), Mugger or Marsh Crocodile Crocodylus palustris (Lesson) and Gharial Gavialis gangeticus (Gmelin).

Crocodylus palustris, the most “broad-snouted” Marsh Crocodile species is known to inhabit freshwater streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. The adult mugger measures about 4m in length and weighs around 300kg. It is a roughskinned reptile and prefers slow-moving and shallower areas of lakes and rivers. It has been included in the list of threatened species according to the Red List of IUCN and from then onwards, conservative measures have been taken for its protection. The Mugger is now categorized as Vulnerable in IUCN Red List (2008). The species was threatened in the past by unregulated hunting for skin and now the threat is more due to its habitat destruction (Britton 2003).

Crocodiles are regarded as “key-stone species” that maintain ecosystem structure

and function through selective predation on fish species, recycling of nutrients and maintenance of wetlands in droughts.

Lake Baghdarrah, located in Baghdarrah Nature Park (Udaipur Wildlife Division, Udaipur, Rajasthan) forms an ideal habitat for marsh crocodile. The term “nature park” can be used for any place which has important species of wild plants and animals.

Baghdarrah was declared Nature Park in 2002 vide administrative notification of Department of Forest, Government of Rajasthan. No documentation of fauna has been carried out previously in this nature park. Thus, there is no scientific data available on various behavioral patterns of crocodile in this area so far.

The present study was aimed at documenting the feeding behavior of Marsh Crocodile.

The feeding behavior was

In Rajasthan, 33 areas have been declared as “closed areas” for conservation and better management of various flora and fauna. Baghdarrah Nature Park is one of them and is situated 20km south east of Udaipur. It is under the jurisdiction of Udaipur Wildlife Division. In the year 1982 this area of 342.19 ha was declared as “closed area” under Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which after amendment was called Nature Park in 2002. A small population of Crocodylus palustris naturally inhabits the small lake within the nature park.

To study the feeding behavior of crocodiles at Baghdarrah Lake, a weekly observation plan was followed for a period of one year i.e.

56 visits during the course of study. On each visit the observations were recorded from 0830hr to 1700hr by sitting at the pre-identified observation post. This post was located at such a place that it facilitated viewing the entire

Table 1. Morphometric details of the Bagdarrah Lake Udaipur (Rajasthan) S.No.

Details

Location

1

Location

73o48’E & 24o31’N (577m)

2

Water spread area

1.8 km2

3

Catchment area

500 ha

4

Maximum depth

8.5m

5

Dam

Masonry 16

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Table 2. Food of Crocodiles Number of crocodiles feeding on prey

Date of observation

Animal as a food

Eaten by

18 July 07

Bungarus (snake)

Adult Crocodile

1

27 July 07

calf

Adult Crocodile

1

19 Aug 07

cow

Adult Crocodile

2

17 Sept 07

Python

Adult Crocodile

4

19 Sept 07

Frog

Sub adult

1

12 Oct 07

Bird

Adult Crocodile

1

9 Nov 07

Ptyas (Rat snake)

Adult Crocodile

1

4 Dec 07

Insects

Hatchlings

1

18 Dec 07

Bird

Adult Crocodile

1

7 Jan 08

Bird

Adult Crocodile

1

4 Feb 08

Bird

Adult Crocodile

1

3 March 08

Buffalo

Adult Crocodile

2

9 April 08

Squirrel

Adult Crocodile

1

lake and its surroundings.

The behavioral activities were watched carefully using field binoculars (Olympus 10 x 50 DPS I) and recorded.

Observations

Crocodylus palustris feeds on a number of prey species. The different types of prey captured by young and adults and mechanism by which they captured were recorded during the study period. In Table 2, various animals were recorded that were captured by adult as well as young ones indicating that they had different choices of food. The feeding behavior has been recorded in Table 2.

The morphometric features of the Baghdarrah Lake were observed and recorded in Table 1.

The lake is rich in aquatic fauna, hence main food of crocodiles consists of fish, frogs, turtles and crabs. Adult crocodiles were observed to feed on fish,

turtles, crabs, snakes, birds, cows and squirrels while young ones were found to feed on fish, insects and frogs.

The mechanism by which the aquatic prey species were captured under water could not be documented.

The feeding behavior of crocodile while feeding on land animals was closely observed. The reptile sat camouflaged and motionless in water waiting for the prey (Cattle Egret) to come to it. Its eyes and nostrils were above the water level and rest of the body was hidden underwater.

When prey came within reach, it quickly snapped its muscular jaws around the prey and dragged it below the water to drown. Before attacking the large prey (a calf), it rotated its head sideways by 45 degrees. After this act, it allowed the body of large prey to remain under water for a considerable period of time. Large prey was broken into smaller pieces by twisting 17

Image 1. Three crocodiles (arrows) feeding on python

or rolling action of the body.

More than two crocodiles were observed to feed on the same prey when the prey was large. Three crocodiles were seen to feed on a python (Image 1 - arrows) which had wandered near the water body (about 1.5m). It was seen that the crocodile sat motionless and allowed the python to come closer at about a distance 0.9m. The Mugger stalked and attacked the prey from its anterior end. The python tried to coil around the crocodile but could not succeed. The crocodile quickly pulled the python into water (Image 2). Two other crocodiles also appeared and attacked the python and tore it into pieces.

Discussion

Crocodile is an opportunistic feeder and takes a wide array of prey. Mugger Crocodiles on Salsette Island, Mumbai, were said to feed on the fruits of the fig tree Ficus glomerata (Abdulali 1938).

This is the first record of Crocodylys palusrtris feeding on squirrel (Funambulus palmarum), krait (Bungarus caeruleus), and python

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

Image 2. Crocodile pulling the dead python

known as dome-pressurereceptors (DPRs) on their faces that can detect tiny disruption in the surface of water (Santiapillai et al. 2004).

These DRPs help in attacking prey.

Swallowing occurs above the water surface as the crocodile may drown. A fleshy “palatal valve” at the back throat prevents water of the in the mouth from entering the throat, oesophagus and trachea when the head is submerged. This enables the crocodile to open its mouth at any time underwater and is particularly useful during prey capture (Britton 2003).

Stones and pebbles are often ingested to aid digestion and as ballast in floating and diving. A 3.5m long crocodile had about a kilogram of stones in its stomach (Simcox 1906). Rotating head by 450 is achieved by making the rest of the body rigid through the contraction of longitudinal muscles along the back and tail. This result in ‘tail-arching’ which allows the head to be swung efficiently (Santiapillai et al. 2004).

(Python molurus). Crocodiles do not really eat as much as people think. A big crocodile weighing over 150kg eats only 20kg of meat per month (Das et al. 1993). The recorded stomach contents of the mugger include leopard, wild dog, hyena, chital, sambar, nilgai fawn, four-horned antelope, barking deer, monkey, domestic dogs, goats, calves, pig, ducks, a variety of wild birds, snakes and softshelled turtles (Ranjitsinh 1989). For 6000 crocodiles at the Madras Crocodile Bank, two tons of fish, meat, rats and mole crabs are bought every week and the crocodiles are fed every other day. C. johnstoni prefers to eat fish either dead or alive while References C. porosus prefers to eat fish, amphibians and birds Abdulali, H. (1938). The food (Johnson 2008). of the Mugger (Crocodylus

Crocodiles have palustris). Journal of the specialized sensory organs

18

Bombay

Natural

History

Society 40: 336.

Britton, A. (2003). Crocodiles, Alligators, Caimans Gharials.

In:

Grzimek’s

Encyclopaedia,

Animal 2

nd

life

Edition.

REPTILES, vol. 7, pp 101 – 108. (Crocodilian biology database

-

www.flmnh.ufl.

edu.).

Das, I., Z. Whitaker & R. Whitaker (1993). The World of

Turtles

National

and

Crocodiles.

Book

Trust,

New

Delhi, India, 34pp.

Johnson, C.R. (2008). Behavior of the Australian crocodiles, Crocodylus johnstoni and C. Porosus.

Zoological

Journal

of the Linnean Society 52(4): 315–336.

Ranjitsinh,

M.K.

(1989).

Mugger (Crocodylus palustris) eating soft shell turtle. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 86: 107.

Santiapillai,

C.,

S.

Wijeyamohan, Vandercone

R. &

Somaweera Crocodiles

of

R. (2004).

Sri

Lanka.

Mannar District Rehabilitation and Reconstruction through Community Approach Project. (www. MANRECAP.com).

Simcox,

A.H.A.

(1906).

The crocodile, its food and muscular vitality. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 16: pp. 375 – 376.

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

Spirurid infestation in Green Keelback Macropisthodon plumbicolor: a case study Pranav Pandit 1, Jaydev Page 2, M.W. Kahsnis 2 & Aditya Ponkshe 2 Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal, Satara District, Maharashtra 412801, India Email: 1 pranav.vet@gmail.com

1,2

Snakes are exposed to numerous parasites since they feed principally on live mammals, amphibians, insects and occasionally on animals of their own kind (Page 1966).

Different incidences of helminthiasis are observed in snakes including Rhabditidae nematodes (Sabu et. al. 2002), spirurid nematodes (Jones 1995) and Strongyloides and Strongyle infestation (Jayathangaraj et al. 2006). We present a case of nematodiasis in Green Keelback Macropisthodon plumbicolor.

Case History

A moribund adult Green Keelback was rescued from human habitation in the month of March, 2008.

The snake was completely

debilitated and did not show any movement. The snake died within 15 minutes of rescue.

Image 3. Ulcer in Stomach

Observations

The snake was emaciated.

No signs of stomatitis were found. Few nematodes were found in the viscera beneath the pleura (Image 1).

The stomach was completely filled with nematodes (Image 2).

An ulcer was noted in the mucosa of the stomach while the rest of the intestine was hemorrhagic (Image 3). Very few intradermal nodules were seen. The nematodes were collected and were identified as spirurids (Family: Spiruridae) with spirally coiled hind end bearing lateral alae and papillae (Soulsby 1968).

References Page, L.A. (1966). Diseases and Infections of Snakes: A review. Bulletin of the Wildlife Disease Association 2(Oct): 120-121.

Sabu,

L.,

H.

K.

Devada,

Subramanian

J.V.

Cheeran

&

(2002).

Diploscapter coronata (Cobb, 1893) infestation in captive snakes. Zoos’ Print Journal 17(12): 954-956.

Jones, H.I. (1995). Pathology associated with physalopterid larvae (Nematoda: Spiruridae) in

the

gastric

tissue

of

Australian reptiles. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 31(3): 299306.

Jayathangaraj, Ramesh, R.

M.G.,

S.A.

Basith

Rajarathinam

S. &

(2006).

A case of mouth rot and helminthiasis in a Spectacled Cobra Naja naja. Zoos’ Print Journal 21(1): 2142.

Soulsby,

E.J.L.

Helminths Protozoa

(1968).

Arthropods of

and

Domesticated

Animals - 6th edition. Williams Image 1. Nematodes outside G.I. tract

Image 2. Nematodes in Stomach 19

and

Wilkins

Baltimore, 285pp.

Company,

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

Ninety-six young ones born to Russell’s Viper Solapur operates the snake rescue centre and usually Daboia russelii Bilal Habib

1

& Bharat Cheda 2

Scientist – C, Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India 2 Nature Conservation Circle, C/o Swastik Readymade, Nevipeth Solapur, Maharashtra, India Email: 1 bh@wii.gov.in 1

This note gives the account of highest number of young ones so far produced

by Russell’s viper in India.

The previous record of highest number of young ones (63) was way back in 1906. This is the highest record after 99 years in wild. The number of young ones born was 96.

Russell’s Viper is widely distributed throughout Asia in the Indian subcontinent from Baluchistan in the west and Kashmir in the north to the eastern Himalaya and east wards to Myanmar, Thailand, Indo-China, Formosa, IndoAustralian Archipelago and Sri Lanka. Usually it is located in the plains but has been recorded in altitudes up to 2,100m in southern India and 1,800m in the western Himalaya. In some parts of the country it is very common, but rare in others (Daniel 2002).

In Solapur District of Maharashtra, India it is not an uncommon snake.

The Solapur District lies in the drought prone area of the Deccan Plateau. Due to the rain shadow created by the Western Ghats, the drought prone area of Solapur and its adjacent area in Deccan Plateau receive an average

rainfall of 750mm, distributed over 3-4 months. The rainfall is erratic and drought is the common phenomenon. The average temperature varies from 150C in December to 460C in May. During rainy season the records of Russell’s Viper is more.

The arrival of the monsoon in this area coincides with the peak period of birth of Russell’s Viper whish is between June and July.

Because of its pattern it is more often confused with Python (Python molurus) by local people of Solapur. The Nature Conservation Circle (NCC)

20

capture snakes from houses, industries, schools and public places. Nonpoisonous snakes are released at the same site after making the locals aware of the benefits of the snake and by explaining to them that the snake is nonpoisonous and harmless. Poisonous snakes are released far away in the wild places within 24 hours of capture.

On 15, June 2005 at about 1645hr one of the members of NCC Solapur received the call from a local villager that a huge python was sighted in his field.

After receiving the call it was attended within 15 minutes. It was found that the snake was misidentified for a python and was actually Russell’s Viper measuring 1615mm.

The viper was found more sluggish and was unable to move at all from its place. Swelling was

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 seen from half of its body till the genital opening. Initially it was suspected that some prey may have been consumed recently.

It was captured from this area (17032’13.7”N & 76010’55.7”E) which is 45km away from Solapur on Solapur-Akalkot Road. Since unusual swelling was seen, it was decided to be released the next morning back to some wild place. The snake was kept under continuous observation during the night.

At about 0315hr on 16 June 2005, usual hissing was heard from the room in which the viper was kept. After opening the door it was found that viper started to give birth to young ones.

Without any disturbance the door was again closed. During morning hours small hole was made to window and it was found that viper continued to give birth to young ones untill 0930hr.

After it stopped we decided to capture the young ones by net, put them in some

vessel and release them back immediately to some wild place.

Initially, the female was captured by net and placed in well ventilated box.

After these young ones were observed it was found that out of 96, 51 were already dead and only 45 where alive. Live young ones were captured by net and placed in well ventilated box and carried to the point of release. Initially, the female was released and after that young ones.

Female continued around till the young ones escaped here and there and after that female also escaped in a near by cover.

Fifty-one dead ones where kept for measurements.

The longest was 228mm and the smallest was 152mm with an average length of 182mm (N = 51).

The Russell’s Viper is considered one of the most prolific snakes of India, frequently producing 30 or more young ones. The

21

maximum record so far in the wild is 63 (Wall 1906), but instances of a single foetus or less than 20 are known (Daniel 2002).

References Daniel,

J.C.

(2002).

The

book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibian. Bombay Natural History Society and Oxford University Press, viii+238pp.

Wall, F. (1906). The breeding of Russell’s Viper. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 16: 292-312.

Acknowledgements

We thank all the members of NCC Solapur for their timely efforts in saving the life of a gravid female which otherwise may have been killed by villagers. Special thanks to Hiremath, Kumbhar for their efforts in the field. Special thanks to Nattu for his long ride in a rainy day from Solapur to Akalkot.

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

A report on the unusual body weight of a hatchling Python molurus molurus C. Ramesh 1 & S. Bhupathy 2 Sálim Ali Cere for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty (PO), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641108, India Email: 1 rameshzoo@yahoo.com, 2 bhupathy.s@gmail.com

1,2

The Indian Rock Python Python molurus, one of the largest snakes of the world, is endangered due to habitat destruction and indiscriminate hunting for hide (Whitaker 1993).

Despite its widespread distribution, breeding biology of this species is poorly known (Bhupathy & Vijayan 1989; Daniel 2002). In the present paper, we report a hatchling of Python molurus with unusual body weight observed in the wild.

The Keoladeo National Park (KNP, 2707.6’N & 77033.2’E), Bharatpur is one of the World Heritage Sites and is famous for the congregation of wintering waterfowl. Area of this Park is 29km2, including about 8.5km2 of wetland.

The vegetation is dominated by a mixture of xerophytic and semi-xerophytic species such as Accacia nilotica, Prosopis cineraria, P. juliflora, Salvadora persica, S. oleoides, Capparis decidua and C. sepiaria (Prasad et al. 1996).

The climate of the area is subhumid to semi-arid. Annual rainfall of the KNP is 650mm and most of the rain is received during June-July. This area experiences extreme climatic conditions with monthly mean varying from 0.50C to 500C. Description on the climate

and general ecology of KNP is available in Vijayan (19901.)

Two females measuring about 3.9m and 3.0m laid eggs on 20 May 2008 and they were under visual observation on regular basis. The piping of first eggs was observed on 28 July (69th day) and emergence of a few hatchlings from eggs were observed on the 70th day, but all of them retreated back into the shell during the next two or three nights. Since the first sign of piping of eggs, the nests were under continuous observation till dispersal of hatchlings on the night of 01 August 2008.

Continuous observation for 24 hours using a digital thermo hygrometer during incubation period showed 26.9-42.80C ambient temperature and 3995.5% relative humidity.

On the morning of 02 August, we examined the nests, which had 19 and 37 eggs respectively and one egg in the first and two in the other did not hatch, which accounted for about 95% hatching success. Three out of 37 hatched eggs had yolk sac left within the shell (Image 1), but hatchlings were observed emerging successfully.

We presume that all other hatchlings withdrew the yolk sac prior to 22

their emergence. Emergence of hatchlings, leaving the yolk sac within the shell, may have implications on their survival.

Van Mierop & Barnard (1976) reported that the yolk reserve helps nursing the hatchlings up to five weeks.

Upon thorough search in the nest sites and surroundings (on the morning of 02 August 2008, 0500hr), we found 13 live hatchlings.

They measured 615.4mm (Range 520-650) in total length and weighed 111.2 (90-120)g. Mean ventral and subcaudal scale counts of nine hatchlings were 247.2 (Range 243-251) and 63.3 (60-68) respectively.

The present biometry data of the hatchling Python molurus are similar to that reported earlier from captivity (Vinegar 1973; Van Mierop & Barnard 1976; Vyas 1996, 1998). One hatchling was found dead near the nest with 37 eggs, which measured 640mm in total length and weighed 200g. No sign of deformity was found externally and the reason for the death of this hatchling is unknown.

As the weight was unusual, we presumed that this hatchling would have fed on another hatchling snake or had its first prey. Cannibalism in Python molurus has been reported in captivity (Kalaiarasan 1992).

The dead snake was dissected and was found to have a mass of fat along oesophagus and cloaca lying between skin and alimentary canal (Image 2). We believe that the pressure of this mass have interfered with

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

Image 1. Hatched Python molurus eggs showing yolk sac left within the shell.

Â

Â

Image 2. Dead Python molurus hatchling showing mass of fat found between skin and body cavity.

the function of vital organs Prasad, V.P., D. Mason, Whitaker, R. (1993). Population J.E. Marburger & C.R.A. status of the Indian python that would have caused Kumar (1996). Illustrated (Python molurus) on the Indian the death of this individual.

Flora of Keoladeo National sub continent. Herpetological Information on the range of Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

Natural History 1(1): 87-89. weight (maximum- minimum) Bambay Natural History of hatchlings and its impact Acknowledgment Society, 435pp. on growth, survivorship This paper is an offshoot and reproduction in reptiles Van Mierop, L.H.S. & S.M. Barnard (1976). Observation of the Python Project (20are poorly known.

Data on the reproduction of Python 28/2005 WL) sponsored by the on diseases and remedial molurus bivittatus (Reptilia, Wildlife Division of the Ministry measures are also poorly Serpents, Boidae). Journal of of Environment and Forests, known, which is vital for Herpetology 10(4): 333-340. Government of India. We are managing species in both wild Vinegar, A. (1973). The effect grateful to the Chief Wildlife and captivity. of temperature on the growth Warden,

References

Rajasthan,

and

Mr.

and development of embryos Sunayan Sharma, Director of KNP of the Indian python, Python for the

Bhupathy, S. & V.S. Vijayan

permission to undertake

molurus (Reptilia: Serpents: this study. We thank the Director,

SACON for the encouragement Boidae). Copeia 1: 171-173.

(1989). Status, distribution and general ecology of the Vijayan, V.S. (1991). Keoladeo given and the facilities provided.

National Park ecology study.

Indian python (Python molurus molurus) in Keoladeo National

Final

Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

Bombay

Journal of the Bombay Natural

Society, Bombay, 337pp.

History Society 86: 381-387.

Daniel,

J.C.

(2002).

The

Vyas,

Report

(1980-1990).

Natural

R.

(1996).

History Captive

breeding of the Indian Rock

book of Indian Reptiles and

Python

Amphibians. Bombay Natural

molurus). The snake 27: 127-

History

Society,

Mumbai,

molurus

134.

Vyas,

238pp.

(Python

R.

(1998).

Notes

on

(1992).

growth and maturity in Python

Cannibalism in Pythons. Cobra

molurus molurus. Hamadryad

8: 11-12.

23: 69-71.

Kalaiarasan,

V.

23

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

P. Balakrishnan

1,2

, T.V. Sajeev

1

and T.N. Bindu

1,2

1 Entomology Laboratory, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Nilambu, Kerala 679342, India.

2 Wildlife Research and Conservation Trust, c/o. Anupallavi, Chungathara P.O., Nilambur, Kerala 679334, India Email: 1 baluperoth@gmail.com, 2 tvsajeev@gmail.com, 3 binduthelakkad2005@gmail.com

The Indian Rock Pythons Python molurus (Linnaeus 1758) are large, heavy-bodied non-venomous snakes that kill their prey by constriction.

The species is widely distributed through out the Indian Subcontinent and east to the Malay Peninsula and western Indonesia (Smith 1943; Das 2002). It occupies a wide range of habitats from dry and rocky scrub to moist forests. It has been listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972, and also listed under CITES, subsequent to severe habitat loss and poaching for the skin, meat and pet trade. However, the species is listed under the Lower Risk-Near Threatened IUCN Redlist category (World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1996).

Little is known about the status, ecology and reproduction of the natural populations of Indian Rock Python (Bhupathy & Vijayan 1989).

However, a large number of studies describe the breeding (Yadav 1967; Acharjyo & Misra 1976; Dattatri 1990; Kalaiarasan & Rathinasabapathy 1991; Urfi 1997; Vyas 1996, 2002; Joshi et al. 2001; Walsh & Murphy

2003) growth, development and management (Acharjyo & Misra 1980; Sekar & Jagnnadha-rao 1995; Vyas 1998) of captive populations.

In majority of these captive breeding studies, the incubation was done by the female itself. However, other studies used moist cotton wool/vermiculite substrate method (Dattatri 1990; Vyas, 1996, 2002) or slate-bottomed aquariums in which the eggs were placed on the surface of soil in small crockery or plastic cups (Walsh & Murphy 2003) for artificial incubation.

Ambient temperature variations are known to influence the growth and development of python embryos (Vinegar 1973, 1974; Branch & Patterson 1975).

The eggs incubated at low and fluctuating temperatures are reported to have a lower hatching success and produced juveniles with abnormal colour patterns (Vinegar 1973; Walsh & Murphy 2003).

Thus maintenance of optimal environmental conditions is important while incubating the eggs artificially, but which is often difficult in the aquariums or zoo enclosures (Walsh & Murphy 2003). For a precise 24

© T.V. Sajeev

Artificial incubation, hatching and release of the Indian Rock Python Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758), in Nilambur, Kerala

Image 1. Cluster of eggs of Indian Rock Python deserted by the mother due to human disturbance

control over the environmental parameters, climatecontrolled environmental chambers are commonly used for the artificial incubation of several species of reptiles (Damme et al. 1992; Spotila et al. 1994; Joanen & McNease 2009). In this note, we report the use of climate-controlled environmental chambers for the artificial incubation of Rock Python eggs which is, to our knowledge not yet reported in the literature.

On 02 May 2008, we received an abandoned egg mass of Indian Rock Pythons, containing 17 eggs from the officials of Kerala Forest Department, Nilambur (Image 1). The eggs were obtained whilst clearing out an erstwhile unattended patch of reserved forest (11017’N & 76015’E) near to human habitation at Nilambur Forest Range, Kerala.

The average measurements of the eggs were as follows: 102.7±3.3 mm length (range = 98108 mm; n = 7) and 58.6± 3.1 mm width (range = 5762 mm; n = 5).

Several eggs were in bad condition due to prolonged absence of incubation. The eggs were

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 © P. Balakrishnan

© P. Balakrishnan

Image 2. Well-developed python embryo with yolk sac in a damaged egg

placed in a sterilized jute sack within the climate-controlled environmental chamber (1m3) at the Entomology Laboratory, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Nilambur.

The environmental chamber was set at a temperature between 28 to 32 0C, relative humidity between 70 to 90% and on a 12 light: 12 dark photo period. These environmental parameters were set based on the previous studies (Vinegar 1973; Walsh & Murphy 2003). Discoloured and malodorous eggs were removed periodically from the environmental chamber.

A single egg hatched on 28 May 2008. The remaining eggs were maintained in the environmental chamber but all of them failed to hatch.

The dead eggs were dissected and found to contain welldeveloped embryos (Image 2).

The mass and measurements of the hatchling after 24 hours of hatching was: mass = 132gm, snout to vent length (SVL) = 480mm and tail length (TL) = 70mm. The hatchling was maintained in a 1m3 wooden and wire-mesh chamber containing hide pots

Image 3. Indian Rock Python hatchling after 10 days of hatching and before release

and logs. This chamber was kept in room temperature and the photoperiod was maintained at 10 (light):14 (dark) hours using artificial lights. The chamber was covered with glass to reduce heat loss.

Ecdysis occurred on 06 June 2008. The hatchling looked like the adult snake except for the size (Image 3).

The snake was offered live chicks and mice but it did not eat till the release. The mass and measurements (mass = 134.7g, snout to vent length (SVL) = 515mm and tail length (TL) = 75mm) taken after 10 days of fledging indicate the growth in python is slow as reported in other studies (Vyas 2000). On 09 June 2008, the snake was handed over to the local forest department officials and it was released in an evergreen forest at Chathamborai (11016’N & 76013’E), Nilambur North Forest Division.

As we received the eggs which were deserted by the female during incubation due to human disturbance, the exact incubation period and 25

the exact success rate cannot be calculated. The single egg hatched was on the 25th day of artificial incubation and we are not aware about the natural incubation received under the mother and number of days the eggs left unattended. The incubation period in pythons range between 66-85 days in artificial conditions (Vyas 2002; Walsh & Murphy 2003).

If these periods are applied here, the egg laying may have occurred in the first fortnight of March.

The environmental conditions are known to influence the growth and development of python embryos (Vinegar 1973, 1974; Branch & Patterson 1975).

Previous studies have documented the optimal environmental conditions required for the artificial incubation of python eggs (Vinegar 1973, 1974; Branch & Patterson 1975; Walsh & Murphy 2003). However, it is often difficult to maintain these conditions in the traditional methods used for artificial incubation (Walsh & Murphy 2003). The present

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 study proved the usefulness of climate-controlled environmental chambers for the artificial incubation of python eggs. The advantage of this method over other methods could not be discerned, because of the fact that the eggs we used in our study were partially damaged.

They were also deserted by the female during incubation due to human disturbance.

Further experiments using fresh eggs are required to test the efficiency of this method as other artificial incubation methods yielded low hatching success (Vyas 1996, 2002).

Although large number of pythons were caught in the lowland areas in Nilambur and translocated by the forest department, a significant number of adults were killed and eggs remain unattended or destroyed.

Though the success rate was low due to the poor condition of eggs while they were received, in a conservation point of view, our method proved successful for incubation of the python eggs in such situations. A regional conservation education and awareness programme along with the captive management of injured snakes and eggs may help to save the pythons and other non-venomous snakes in this area.

References Acharjyo, L.N. & C.G. Misra (1980). Growth rate of Indian python Python molurus molurus (Serpentes: Boidae) in captivity with special

reference to age at first egglaying. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 77: 344-350.

Acharjyo, L.N. & R. Misra (1976).

Aspects of reproduction and growth of the Indian python, Python molurus molurus in captivity.

British Journal of Herpetology 5: 562-565.

Bhupathy, S. & V.S. Vijayan (1989). Status, distribution, and general ecology of the Indian python Python molurus molurus Linn. in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society 86: 381-387.

Branch, W.R. & R.W. Patterson (1975).

Notes on the development of embryos of the African rock python, Python sebae (Serpentes: Boidae).

Journal of Herpetology 9: 243-247.

Damme, R.V., D. Bauwens, F. Braña, & R.F. Verheyen (1992).

Incubation temperature differentially affects hatching time, egg survival, and hatchling performance in the lizard Podarcis muralis.

Herpetologica 48: 220–228.

Das, I. (2002). A Photographic Guide to The Snakes and Other Reptiles of India. New Holland Publishers, London, 144pp.

Dattatri, S. (1990). Breeding the Indian python (Python m. molurus) under captive conditions in India, pp.488– 495.In: Daniel, J.C. & J.S. Serrao (eds.). Conservation in Developing Countries. Proc.

Centenary Seminar, Bombay Natural History Society, Oxford University Press/ BNHS, Mumbai.

Joanen, T. & L. McNease 26

(2009). Artificial incubation of alligator eggs and post hatching culture in controlled environmental chambers.

Journal of the World Mariculture Society 8(1-4): 483-490.

Joshi, K.C., S.S. Yadav & R. Vyas (2001). Breeding of captive python at Kota Zoo, Rajastan. Zoos’ Print Journal 16(5): 496.

Kalaiarasan, V. & B. Rathinasabapathy. (1991).

Breeding of the Indian python Python molurus. Cobra 3: 1012.

Sekar, M. & M. Jagnnadharao (1995). Management of Indian rock python (Python molurus) in captivity at Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Madras. Cobra 22: 14-16.

Smith, M.A. (1943). The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, including the whole of Indo-Chinese sub-region.

Reptilia and Ambhibia. Vol. 111 -Sepentes. Taylor and Francis, London, xii+582pp.

Spotila, J.R., L.C. Zimmerman, C.A. Binckley, J.S. Grumbles, D.C. Rostal, A. List, E.C. Beyer, K.M. Phillips & S.J. Kemp (1994). Effects of incubation conditions on sex determination, hatching success, and growth of hatchling desert tortoises, Gopherus agassizii.

Herpetological Monographs 8: 103-116.

Urfi, A.J. (1997). Successful breeding of the Indian Rock Python Python molurus molurus (Linnaeus) at Sundarvan Nature Discovery Centre, Ahmedabad. Zoos’ Print Journal 12(1): 4-5.

Vinegar, A. (1973). The effects of temperature on the growth and development of embryos

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 2009.1. <http://www.

Hamadryad 20: 3435. of the Indian python, Python iucnredlist.org/>. Downloaded molurus (Reptilia: Serpentes: Vyas, R. (2002). Breeding data on 21 August 2009. on captive Indian Rock Python Boidae). Copeia 1973: 171(Python molurus mulurus). Yadav, R.N. (1967). Python 173. breeding in Captivity.

Zoos’ Print Journal 17(4): Vinegar, A. (1974).

International Zoo Yearbook 7: 752-756.

Evolutionary implications 182-183. of temperature induced Walsh, T. & J.B. Murphy (2003).

Observations on anomalies of development in the husbandry, breeding and Acknowledgements snake embryos. Herpetologica behaviour of the Indian python 30: 72-74.

We are grateful to the Python molurus mulurus at Kerala Forest Department for Vyas, R. (1996).

Captive the National Zoological Park, breeding of the Indian Rock their help and support and to Washington, DC. International Python (Python molurus Drs. S. Bhupathy, D. Mukherjee Zoo Yearbook 38: 145-152. mulurus). The Snake 27: 127and K.S.A. Das for advice during World Conservation 134. this study. M. Saji, T. Simon and Monitoring Centre (1996).

Vyas, R. (1998). Observations Python molurus. In: IUCN E.V. Ramya assisted us with the on growth in the Indian rock 2009. IUCN Red List of maintenance of the eggs and python (Python molurus Threatened Species. Version hatchling. molurus) in captivity.

Dead King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah found near Srikakulam in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh K.L.N Murthy 1 & K.V Ramana Murthy 2 1 Programme Officer, Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380054, India 2 Executive Director, Green Mercy, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India Email: 1 klnmurthy25@gmail.com, 2 green333mercy@gmail.com

Ramana Murthy, Green Mercy, pers. comm.)

On the morning of 28 July 09, a 14 foot long dead King Cobra was spotted in the dense forest of Sitampet agency area in Srikakulam.

It was presumably killed by locals as clear, deep lacerations could be seen on the head

King Cobras Ophiophagus hannah inhabit thick primary forests and estuarine mangrove swamps with heavy rainfall (Whitaker & Captain 2004). These large reptiles were reported earlier from Duggeru and Makkuva forest areas in Vizianagaram District of northern coastal Andhra by local field staff of the forest department and villagers. Of late, King Cobras were sighted by locals near Sunnapu Gedda Waterfalls in the adjoining Sitampet mandal of Srikakulam 0 District (18 18’00.13”N & Image 1. A dead king cobra Ophiophagus hannah with puncture marks 83053’59.73”E) which lies at on its head. A pair of large occipital shields behind parietals can be Andhra-Orissa border (K.V. clearly seen.

27

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 and dorsal body of the snake.

The snake was identified as King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah (Image 1) by a team of experts from Green Mercy, a local NGO working for snake conservation in the area for nearly a decade. The dead King Cobra weighed about 6.5kg and as the body was fast decomposing, it was carried to a nearby science college in the Srikakulam Town. The specimen was preserved there in 10% formalin solution.

Apparently, there is an ambiguity whether the snake had actually strayed from the adjoining reserve forests or could there be a resident population of King Cobras in the area? The efforts of the local NGOs and snake lovers in the past to declare the entire forest area in both the districts of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram went in vain. Incidents like these are a testament to the fact that there is no authenticated data on the current status and distribution of King Cobras in this geographical region.

Immediate intensive surveys are mandatory to gain insights into the species distribution, ecology and threats in these particular areas.

Such precious data is vital for chalking out conservation management strategies in future for protecting these elusive and rare serpents.

Common Sand Boa

Reference

Daniel J.C (1983). The Book of

Whitaker, R. & A. Captain

R. Alexandar

1

& J. Jayakumar

2

Department of Ecology & Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India Email: 1 enviroalexandar@gmail.com

1,2

On 21 December 2009 at 2330hr, three adult Sand Boa Eryx conicus (Schneider 1801) family Boidae, the status of snake as per IUCN Lower Risk-near threatened (Nationally; Molur & Walker 1998), measuring 1.5mm was observed foraging on ground near a tamarind tree.

A group of villagers were trying to kill the snake fearing it for a poisonous snake. After explaining about its harmlessness and its threatened status, ecological benefits, and wild life crimes, we rescued the snake from the gang and took photographs of the snake and released it into a safe shrub 2km away from the village. Loss of habitat, trading for parts, human interference, and the recent increase in superstitious beliefs of sacrificial offering of the snake are among some of the major threats to the species.

References Smith M.A. (1943). the fauna of British India, including Celon and Burma, Reptilia and Amphibia Vol 3 serpentes, Tailors and Francis, London, XII+ 583PP. Indian Reptiles. Bombay Natural History

Society,

(2004). Snakes of India -

Bombay,

141pp.

The Field Guide. Draco Books, Molur, S. & S. Walker (eds.).

Chennai, India, xiv+481pp.

(1998). Report of the workshop 28

“Conservation Assessment and Management Plan for Reptiles of India” (BCPP- Endangered Species Project). Zoo Outreach Organisation,

Conservation

Breeding Specialist Group, India, Coimbatore, India, 175pp.