Reptile Rap Newsletter of the South Asian Network No.10, June 2010

Contents

New locality record of Hemidactylus gracilis Blanford, 1870 (: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Nashik District, -- Zeeshan A. Mirza & Rajesh Sanap. Pp. 2-3

Record of Lygosoma albopunctata Gray, 1846 from forest and comments on its distribution in State -- Raju Vyas, Pp. 4-5

First locality record of ornata Shaw, 1802 from Kheonae Wildlife Sanctuary, Dewas, -- Mukesh Ingle, Pp. 5-6

Distribution of Elachistodon westermanni in Gujarat -- Raju Vyas, Pp. 7-8

Additional records of the Keeled Rock Cyrtopodion scabrum (Heyden, 1827) from Kachchh District, Gujarat, -- Manojkumar Pardeshi, V. Vijay kumar & Sanjay K. Das, Pp. 9-10

The records of Beddome’s Cat ( beddomei) from , Gujarat State, India -- Raju Vyas & Saurabh R. Desai, Pp. 10-13

Habituation and a typical feeding habit of Bengal Monitor 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, -- 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

Artificial incubation, hatching and release of the Indian Rock Python Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758), in Nilambur, -- P. Balakrishnan, T.V. Sajeev & T.N. Bindu, Pp. 24-27 OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD Dead King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah Reptile Rap is registered under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, found near Srikakulam in northern coastal which allows unrestricted use of articles in any medium for non-profit purposes, repro- duction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of -- K.L.N Murthy & K.V Ramana Murthy, Pp.27-28 publication. Common Sand Boa -- R. Alexandar & J. Jayakumar, P. 28

1 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 New locality record of Hemidactylus specimens were found in a gracilis Blanford, 1870 (Squamata: dry and degraded habitat with Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Nashik District, patches of thorny shrubs. The Maharashtra were sympatrically found with Hemidactylus Zeeshan A. Mirza 1 & Rajesh Sanap 2 cf. brookii, Europis sp. and Hottentotta tamulus. 1 1-13 Shiv Colony, Marol Police Camp, Andheri (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400059, India Hemidactylus gracilis 2 D-5/ 2, Marol Police Camp, M.M. Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai, is reported to occur in Maharashtra 400059, India Email: 1 [email protected], 2 [email protected] Maharashtra at Mahavali,

1

The Slender Gecko,

Hemidactylus gracilis is a nocturnal, medium sized (37mm snout to vent length; 2 Smith 1935) terrestrial gecko 3 belonging to the Tropical Asian Clade with H. reticulates, H. Images 1-3. Hemidactylus gracilis 1 - Dorso lateral aspect; 2 - Dorsal aspect showing tubercles; albofasciata and H. fasciatus 3 - Precloacal Pore; being close relatives (Bauer et al. 2008). This from under a rock at 1257hr Poona District; Wai and Alandi, was described by Blanford in a small village near Sinnar Satara District; Chanda and based on four collected (19057’15”N & 74001’39”E) Berar, , as well as specimens, two each from “S. (Images 1-3). One of the in at Raipur E. Berar [Yavatmal District, specimens was collected as and in Andhra Pradesh at northeastern Maharashtra] voucher and is deposited in Nagarjunkonda Hill, Nalgonda and Raipur [Raipur District, the collection of the Bombay District (Tikader & Sharma Chhattisgarh (previously a Natural History Society (BNHS 1992; Sharma 2002). Later, part of Madhya Pradesh)]” 1930). The measurements Murthy (1990) summarized (Bauer et al. 2005). and pholidosis of the specimen the distribution of this species During a study of are provided in Table 1. Other by state, including Gujarat of Nashik District, the characters and coloration in its range. Vyas (2000a & second author (RS) found two match with the description 2000b) included H. gracilis specimens of Hemidactylus provided by Smith (1935) and in the review of reptiles of gracilis on 29 November 2008 Bauer et al. (2005). Both the Gujarat but the authority

2 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Table 1. Mensual and meristic data for Hemidactylus gracilis from Sharma, R.C. (2002). The Fauna Nashik District, Maharashtra. All mensural data in mm. of India and the Adjacent

Hemidactylus gracilis Countries. Reptilia, Volume II Parameters BNHS 1930 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 British India, Including 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 1pl. Distance from posterior border of orbit to anterior margin 4.74 Tikader B.K. & R.C. Sharma of ear (1992). Handbook Indian Distance from anterior border of orbit to tip of snout 4.54 . Zoological Survey of Precloacal Pores 6 India, Calcutta, xv+250pp, 42 Supralabials Left/ Right 8/8 pl. Infralabials Left/ Right 6/6 Vyas, R. 2000a. Comments Lamellae under First Toe 5 on “A synopsis of reptiles of Lamellae under Fourth Toe 6 Gujarat, India”. Hamadryad * - Tail broken 25: 203- 207. Vyas, R. (2000b). A review of cited by him (Gleadow 1887) References the reptile studies in Gujarat was incorrect as pointed by state. Zoos’ Print Journal Bauer et al. (2005). Recently, Bauer, A.M., V. Giri, S. 15(12): 386-390. Bauer et al. (2005) reported Kehimkar & I. Agarwal this species from Chatushringi (2005). Notes on Acknowledgement Hill, Pune, Maharashtra. Hemidactylus gracilis Blanford The authors would like to The present locality in 1870, a poorly known Indian thank Varad Giri for his comments Nashik extends the gecko’s gecko. Gekko 4(2): 2–7. and help. They would also like to known range (from Pune) Bauer, A.M., V. Giri, E. thank Jackin Kedia for recording to ca. 158km in airline Greenbaum, T.R. Jackmsn, the coordinates distance. The distribution of M.S. Dharne & Y.S. Hemidactylus gracilis remains Shouche (2008). On the poorly known (Bauer et al. systematics of the gekkonid 2005) and in this respect the Teratolepis Günther, report of the occurrence of this 1869: another one bites the species from Nashik District is dust. Hamadryad 32: 13–27. noteworthy. It is possible that Gleadow, F. (1887). this species might also occurs Description of a new lizard in northern Maharashtra but from the “Dangs”. Journal of more intensive surveys are the Bombay Natural History needed to prove this as the Society 2: 49-51. northern and central part Murthy, T.S.N. (1990). A Field of Maharashtra still remains Book of Lizards of India. poorly explored in terms of its Records of Zoological Survey reptilian fauna. of India, Occasional Papers 115: 1-122.

3 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Record of Lygosoma albopunctata Gray, 1846 found under decayed leaf litter from Vansda forest and comments on its and dead barks of trees. The distribution in Gujarat State species is uncommon in the area in comparison to other Raju Vyas two species of supple , L puncatata and L. guentheri. 505, Krishnadeep Tower, Mission Road, Fatehgunj, , Gujarat 390002, India Undigested state of Email: [email protected] a skink specimen was found in the gut-contents of Cattle Egret (Bubulcu ibis) during the The White-spotted District. The locality is ‘Ecology Study: Birds Central Supple Skink Lygosoma part of the and Gujarat’. Such gut-contents albopunctata (Gray, 1846) has moist deciduous forest on were collected from ‘mix egret is one of the common the border of Vansda National nesting colony of Karamsad and is widely distributed Park (VNP). Town, . This in India (Madhya Pradesh, During the ‘Biodiversity is a clear indication of the , , study of Vansda National fact that the species inhabits Kerala, , , Park’, Vyas (2004) was able to Anand District (previously a Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, record 41 species of reptiles part of District) and Orissa, and West of 31 genera belonging to supports the earlier record Bengal) and Nepal (Royal eleven different families. of species from Khambhat Chitwan National Park) (Smith The L. albopunctata is not by Gayen (1999). Present 1935; Tikader & Sharma mentioned in the list of VNP information on the species 1992; Sharma 2002). and similarly the species is indicates that it inhabits A few earlier published not listed in herpetofauna various types of habitat and records show that the species of southern Gujarat (Daniel is widely distributed in the is also distributed in a few & Shull 1963). The present entire state. districts of Gujarat, including record of the species from (Acharya 1949), VNP is the first record from References Gir Forest (Bhatt et al. 1999) the area and from southern and Kheda (Gayen 1999). Gujarat. Acharya, H.N. (1949). List of During the The Vansda National reptiles from Gujarat state. herpetofaunal exploration of Park is located between Prakurti 8: 156-178. (In southern Gujarat, a few adult 20051’16’’-21021’22”N & Gujarati) specimens of the supple-skink 73020’30”-73031’20”E in Bhatt, K., R. Vyas & M. Singh were collected from Navsari . The area (1999). Herpetofauna of Gir District. On examination two of the park has hilly terrain . Zoos’ Print specimens were identified of moderate altitudes from 14(5): 27-30. as White-spotted Supple 110 to 360 m. These hills Champion, H.G. & S.K. Seth Skink (L. albopunctata). The are extensions of Sahyadri (1968). A Revised Survey morphometric data of both range. The forest of VNP is of the Forest Types of India. specimens are mentioned in of southern Indian tropical Govt. of India, Delhi, 404pp. Table 1. Both are deposited moist deciduous forest type Daniel, J.C. & E.M. Shull in the museum of Bombay and further is classified as (1963). A list of the reptiles Natural History Society (BNHS subtype: southern moist and amphibians of , # 1890 & 1891), Mumbai, mixed deciduous forests, Dangs, , Journal Maharashtra. breakes and tropical of the Bombay Natural History The present recorded riverine forest (Champion & Society 60: 737-743. site of the species is from Seth 1968). Gayen, N.C. (1999). A synopsis Navtad Village, Vansda Tehsil, All the specimens were of the reptiles of Gujarat,

4 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Table 1. Morphometric data of Lygosoma albopunctata (Gray, 1846), Francis, London, 185pp. from Navtad, Navsari District, Gujarat, deposited in the collection of the Tikader, B.K. & R.C. Sharma Bombay Natural History Society (BNHM # 1890 & 1891). (1992). Hand Book Indian Measurements (in mm) BNHM 1890 BNHM 1891 Lizards. Zoological Survey of From tip of snout to vent SVL 40.00 42.00 India, Calcutta, 250pp. From cloaca to tail tip TL 57.00 55.00 Vyas, R. (2004). Herpetofauna Total body length TBL 97.00 97.00 of , Distance from forelimb to Gujarat. Zoos’ Print Journal DFL-ST 14.00 14.00 snout tip 19(6): 1512 - 1514. Axilla to groin distance A-G 35.00 36.00 Upper labials (touching 7/7 (5th large & 7/7 (5th large & UL R/L Acknowledgements eye) no. Right/Left touch to eye) touch to eye) I am highly indebted to Lower labials Right/Left LL R/L 7/7 7/7 Dr. H.S. Singh, Ex-Director, GEER Dorsal body scale rows DO-SR 26 26 Foundation, for the Body scale Body scale logistic help and for granting Remarks smooth, lower smooth, lower eyelid scaly eyelid scaly permission for this study. Thanks to Mr. M. P. Joshi, RFO, VNP for western India. Hamadryad (Sauria). Zoological Survey of accompanying us in field works. 24(1): 1-22. India, Kolkata, 430pp. Also thanks to Dr. B.M. Parasharya, Sharma, R.C. (2002). The Fauna Smith, M.A. (1935). Fauna Scientist, AINP on Agricultural of India and the Adjacent of British India, Reptile & Ornithology, Gujarat Agricultural countries, Reptilia Vol. II Amphibian Vol. II. Taylor and University, Anand, Gujarat.

First locality record of Chrysopelea Bihar; Orissa; ; ornata Shaw, 1802 from Kheonae Wildlife forests of northeastern India; Sanctuary, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh and possibly Maharashtra and Gujarat. Murthy (1986, 1990) Mukesh Ingle first showed its distribution in Madhya Pradesh but did not Research Organization, Vasant Vihar, C-Sector Nanakheda Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh 456010, India mention a specific locality. Email:[email protected] This is the first precise locality record of Chrysopelea ornata Shaw from Madhya Pradesh. A rare species of the above period, intensive Earlier reports (Agrawal 1981; reptile, the Golden Tree or herpetofaunal surveys totaling Kalaiarasan 1991; Vyas 1998 Gliding Snake Chrysopelea about thirty days were carried Chandra & Gajbe 2004; Ingle Ornata was recorded from the out and data of various groups 2001-2003-2004) did not Kheonae Wildlife Sanctuary of reptiles and amphibians record the occurrence of this of Dewas District of Madhya were collected. species in Madhya Pradesh Pradesh. For the past year, the I observed a few Snake Research Organization interesting species; one at Ujjain has been working on of them was identified as Morphometry of Golden Tree snake Chrysopelea ornata Shaw, the herpetofaunal diversity of the Golden Tree Snake. I 1802 male from Kheonae WS the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary observed the specimen on 05 (22030’N & 76045’E, area- April 2008. Particulars 134.778km2) represents the Chrysopelea ornata unique ecosystem of central has been recorded from the Snout-vent length 81cm. India, i.e., Vindhyachal hill forested hills of the southwest, Tail 28cm range and valleys. During (south of the Gap); Total length 109cm 5 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

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, The Golden Tree 203-206 36pp. Chandra, K. & P.U. Gajbe Snake was observed and Smith, M.A. (1943). Fauna (2005). An Inventory of photographed in Lendawa of British India, Reptilia and Herpetofauna of Madhya Nallah area, near Ratanpur Amphibia, Vol.3, Serpentes. Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Zoos’ 0 Taylor & Francis, London, xii + (India- 36km SW, 22 66’N & Print Journal 20(3): 1812-1819 584pp. 76052’E) of Kheonae Wildlife Daniel, J.C. (1992). The Book Whitaker, R. & A. Captain Sanctuary. It was seen in a of Indian Reptiles. Oxford (2008). Snakes of India, The University Press, Bombay, 86- clump of large bamboo on a Field Guide. Draco Books, 87pp. hilly track. This small-sized Tamilnadu, 160-161pp. Das, I. (2002). Snakes and other slender and active arboreal Reptiles of India. New Holland snake is very handsome. It Publishers, (UK) Ltd., 27pp. Acknowledgement is one of the most spectacular Ingle, M. (2001). Snakes of The author is thankful to snakes because of its ability Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain & Malwa the Advisory Board and Scientific to glide through the air. It Region. Cobra 45: July-Sept. Research Committee of Snake is essentially an arboreal Ingle, M. (2003). Ecology & Research Organisation, Ujjain Status of the Ophiofauna of for providing necessary facilities, species which shows a marked Eight Districts of Malwa Region encouragement and funding; Dr. preference for large trees and of Madhya Pradesh. Cobra K. Chandra, Joint Director, Central thick forests. 50(Oct-Dec.): 1-17. Regional Station, Zoological Ingle, M. (2004): Ophiofauna of Survey of India, Jabalpur for References Ujjain & certain Areas of Malwa providiing some technical support Region (Madhya Pradesh), for identification; CWLW of Madhya Agrawal, H.P. (1981). On a Records of the Zoological Pradesh and DFO of Dewas District collection of reptiles from Survey of India 103(part 1-2): for permission to carry out the field Madhya Pradesh, India. The 17-31 work. India Journal of Zootomy 22(3): Murthy, T.S.N. (1986). The Snake

6 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Distribution of Elachistodon westermanni in Surat City. I have made an Gujarat attempt to locate this species in other parts of Gujarat with Raju Vyas the help of individuals and non governmental organizations, 505, Krishnadeep Apartments, Mission Road, Fatehgunj, Vadodara, Gujarat especially those involved 390002, India Email: [email protected] in snake conservation and rescue. While examining the photographs taken by them, The Indian -eater, This species was considered Elachistodon westermanni Elachistodon westermanni, as rare owing to its small was recorded additionally listed in Schedule I of the distributional range (West from four locations. This Indian Wildlife (Protection) Bengal, Uttarakhand, Bihar in species was earlier (wrongly) Act, 1972, is one of the India, Rangpur in identified as aberrant forms rarest of snakes in South and Chitwan District in Nepal) of Indian Trinket Snake Asia. This species is unique (Fig. 1) and few representations Coelognthus helena or Buff- in food habits as it completely in museum collections (Smith striped Keelback Amphiesma depends on small similar 1943; Daniel 2002). This stolatea. Details on the to its African relative. It species was even believed to records are as follows: swallows small eggs, breaks be extinct (Murty et al 1993). 1. Elachistodon the shell using specially Captain et al. (2005) westermanni, total length developed projection on the and Nande & Deshmukh 430mm, near Jesar Town cervical vertebrae, consumes (2007) reported this species (), rainy day, the contents of the eggs and from Wardha and Amravati of August 2006, thorny scrub regurgitates the shells (Dange Maharashtra State which are and open degraded area, road 2008). The Indian Egg-eater far away from its previously kill, photographer Mr. Arun was described by Reinhardt known range. An unidentified Devani, Madhopur. (1863) based on a single picture of a snake species 2. A live specimen, female specimen collected from Gujarat State (Vyas 1000mm, September 2007, from Rungpore (Rangpur) and 2006) indicated that the Man Khetra Village (near Jalpaiguri District of Bengal occurrence of this species in Mangrol Town, (now both in Bangladesh). the outskirts Bhavanagar and 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, , 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, Figure 1. Distributional records of E. westermanni from various locali- Sasan (about 5km west), ties of India, Nepal and Bangladesh

7 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 Image 1. Habitat - the thorny deciduous forest of Victoria Park of Bhavnagar (2007). Snakes of Amravati District, source of second specimen of E. westermanni found (in inset) District including Melghat, Maharashtra, with important records of the Indian egg- eater, 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 Image 2. First photographic records of Indian egg-eater snake from Gir notes on further distribution Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park, Junagadh of the Indian egg-eater snake. Herpinstance 3(2): 1-4. , Gir Wildlife westermanni. Further surveys Acknowledgements Sanctuary and National Park, and comparative genetic I am very thankful to near agricultural fields and analyses of samples collected Bhavesh Trivedi (), Arun dry deciduous forest, 20 from Maharatstra, Gujarat Devani (Madhopur), Piyush October 2008 photographed and Himalaya are urgently Lashkari (Bhavanagar), Kartik by Mr. Kartik Upadhayay and needed. Upadhayay (Vadodara) and collected by Yogendra Shah Yogendra Shah (Surendranagar) for providing me information (Image 2). References and photographs of the snake. The above records show I am also grateful to Varad Giri, Captain, A., F. Tillack, A. that this little known species Bombay Natural History Society, Gumprecht & P. Dandge is widely distributed in many Mumbai and Ashok Captain, Pune (2005). First record of for providing literature on the districts and vegetation types Elachistodon westermanni species. in Gujarat. This also indicates Reinhardt, 1863 (Serpentes, the adaptability of Elachistodon , Colubrinae) from

8 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Additional records of the Keeled Rock Gecko the biodiversity survey in Cyrtopodion scabrum (Heyden, 1827) from the western part of Kachchh Kachchh District, Gujarat, India District, we came across C. scabrum (Image 1) at two Manojkumar Pardeshi1,3, V. Vijay kumar1,4 & Sanjay K. localities, i.e., at reserve 2,5 Das forest areas of Ratipar Village, 0 1Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, Mundra Road, PO Box # 83, Lakhpat Taluka ( 23 51’22”N & (Kachchh), Gujarat 370001, India 68056’83”E) (69m) and Paneli 2University School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Kashmere Gate, Delhi 110006, India Village, Nakhatrana Taluka Email: 3 [email protected], 4 [email protected], (23035’42”N & 68058’00”E) 5 [email protected] (75m). The present record of this species constitutes an additional record from the Keeled Rock Gecko & 72043’37.3”E); hills state. So, Kachchh District Cyrtopodion scabrum is a of Naliyawada Village has now two species of the widely distributed species of genus Cyrtopodion i.e. C. and it ranges from Egypt to (23055’30”N & 73008’00”E) kachhensis and C. scabrum. northwestern India (Smith and from near Pansa Village of 1935). In , it is Banaskantha District (24017’N Habitat restricted to Pakistan and & 72050’E) of northern Gujarat Both recent records India (Das 1994), and has region (NGR) (Das et al. were from the river side, rocky been reported from Jodhpur, 2005). This species was also area of scrub forest which Bhilwara, Barmer and subsequently reported from coincides with the previous Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary, records from rocky areas of (Sharma & Vazirani 1977; Banaskanta District of NGR. The first was under Sharma 1996, 2002). This northern Gujarat region (Vyas the boulder and the second species falls under Data 2007; GEER 2009). All these was in the crevice of a cave. Deficient (DD) category (Molur sightings were from rocky The main vegetation of this & Walker 1998). substrate in dry, deciduous area is Acacia nilotica, Acacia From Gujarat state, first forests of northern Gujarat. senegal, Prosopis juliflora, record of C. scabrum was Kachch District of Zizyphus nimmularia, Grewia from hills near Kazipur Gujarat State is well known for tenex, and Cordia perrottetii. Village of Mahesana an endemic gecko Cyrtopodion In the Thar Desert of District (23057’17.2”N kachhensis. However, during 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. Image 1. A Cyrtopodion scabrum with regenerated tail Das, S.K., J. Joshua, S.F.W.

9

REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Sundarraj & M.K. Pardeshi India, Coimbatore, India, Taylor and Francis, London, (2005). First record of the 175pp. Xiii+430pp. Keeled rock Gecko Cyrtopodion Sharma, R.C. & T.G. Vazirani Vyas, R. (2007). The earliest scabrum (Heyden, 1827) (1977). Food and feeding record of the Keeled Rock Gecko from Gujarat state, India. habits of some reptiles of (Cyrtopodion scabrum) Herpinstance 3 (1): 1-3. Rajasthan. Records of the from Gujarat State, India. GEER (2009). The status of Zoological Survey of India 73: Chit Chat 19: 14-17. Biodiversity of Jessore Wildlife 77-93. Sanctuary (A comprehensive Sharma, R.C. (1996). Acknowledgements ecological and socio- Herpetology of the Thar Economic study). Gujarat Desert, pp.297-306. In: I am thankful to Dr. Ecological Education and Ghosh, A.K., Q.H. Baquri, Pankaj N. Joshi and Mr. Rohit Research (GEER) Foundation, & I. Prakash (eds.). Faunal Patel for identification of flora. Gandhinagar and Forest Diversity in Thar Desert; I am also grateful to GMDC Department, Government Gaps in Research. Scientific (Gujarat Mineral Development of Gujarat, March 2009, Publishers, Jodhpur. Corporation) for funding to 167pp. Sharma, R.C. (2002). The conduct biodiversity assessment Molur, S. & S. Walker (Eds.). Fauna of India and Adjacent of the western Kachchh region. (1998). Report of the Countries - Reptilia. Vol. II., My sincere thanks extended to workshop “Conservation Sauria. Director, Zoological Mr. R.L. Meena, CCF, and Gujarat Assessment and Management Survey of India, Kolkata. State Forest Department for Plan for Reptiles of India” Xxv+430pp. their permission and valuable (BCPP- Endangered Species Smith, M.A. (1935). The Fauna cooperation. Project). Zoo Outreach of British India, including Organisation, Conservation Ceylon and Burma. Reptilian Breeding Specialist Group, 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 [email protected], 2 [email protected]

The first author During the second (RV) received a few colored week of November 2007, SD photographs of a snake from was on a motorbike and he the second author (SD) rushed to reach the Forest for the identification and Guest House, Mahal, Dangs Image 1. A bamboo forest habitat where from the Beddome’s Cat confirmation of the species. because Chikla Camp (every Snake wasfound, near Mahal at The photographs of the snake winter vacation the Nature Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Dangs, were taken near Mahal Village, Club, Surat establishes a Gujarat, India Dangs District in the month of nature education camp at November 2007. Chikla, Dangs) site was not

10 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

2 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 3 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 Images 2 & 3. First record of Beddome’s Cat Snake (Boiga beddomei) marking patterns are very from Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Dangs, Gujarat, is the Protected Area in similar to Boiga ceylonensis most northern end of Western Ghaths, India. (Gunther, 1869), Boiga beddomei (Wall 1909), or in condition for stay at night. (Dendrocalamus strictus) even Boiga nuchalis (Gunther, Heavy rains from two days (Image 1). SD stopped the 1875). According to Smith had turned the entire camp bike and prevented the snake (1943) last two cat snake site unfit for stay. Therefore a from entering the bamboo species are subspecies of few volunteers of Nature Club, clump. The snake was 0.6m Boiga ceylonensis, but these Surat left the ‘Chikala Camp’ and very thin with a triangular three species of Boiga are site and rushed to Forest head and large eyes. The very distinct morphological Guest House, Mahal, Dangs. body colour was brown along ly (may be genetically also) On that occasion SD spotted with black-brown zigzag and presently are three a snake under the head lights bands present on back, right distinct species. Beddome’s of his motorbike at 2330hr, on from neck to the posterior Cat and Collared Cat snakes the way from Mahal Village end of tail and a dark brown are visually indistinguishable about 4km away from Chikla strip running behind eyes from the Ceylon Cat Snake Village. posteriorly up to the neck. except for the value of their The snake was crossing Belly yellow, anterior most ventrals and subcaudal scales, the road and trying to enter ventral scales having black which are found higher in the nearby bamboo clump dots. On first impression B. beddomei (Whitaker &

11 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 collar- shaped markings on the body. Therefore the snake in Figure 1. Map of Purna Wildlife Sanctuary and location site of sighting photograph is deduced to be of the species. Boiga beddomei species. The record of B. beddomei from of trees, 32 types of shrubs two species of turtles, 13 Mahal, Dangs forest is a part and herbs, over 20 species species of lizards and 22 of Purna Wildlife Sanctuary of climbers and 16 species of species of snakes, but Boiga (PWS), Gujarat State (Figure grasses. Also, the park is a beddomei is not in the list. 1). home of diverse vertebrates’ Therefore the present record The PWS is the northern faunal species, 14 species of the species from Mahal, most end of Western Ghats of amphibians, 142 species Dangs is the first record of the and encompasses of 160.84 of birds and 24 mammalian species from the sanctuary. km2 of moist deciduous forest species (Pandey et al. 2004). Boiga beddomei has not and is geographically located The climate is sub- previously been recorded from in between coordinates tropically arid, which turns Gujarat (Gayen 1999; Vyas 20051’15”-21031’ 22”N humid during the monsoon. 1998, 2007a; Sharma 2000), & 73032’20”-73048’30”E. Rainfall occurs from July to thus, the records presented According to Champion & September and occasionally in here represents not only a Seth (1968) the forest of PWS winter, also. Annual average significant northern range is of southern Indian tropical rainfall records are 900-950 extension for the species, but moist deciduous forests mm in the area during the last also a new state record. type and southern moist decade. Gradually it becomes The Boiga beddomei is mixed deciduous forests, exceedingly dry and cold widely distributed in Western bamboo brakes and tropical during November to February Ghats (Maharashtra to Kerala riperine forest subtypes. The followed by a long hot summer, and ) and Eastern sanctuary has hilly terrain the hottest months being Ghats (Ganjam District) ranging from 130 to 574m. May and June. Mean annual of India, and in The sanctuary has a very rich temperature of the sanctuary (Whitaker & Captain 2004). flora and fauna. Total 520 is 25.50C with a maximum of The present record from Mahal, species of plants belonging to 450C and a minimum of 70C. Dangs is now the northern 78 families from 295 genera Recently Vyas (2007b) most distribution limit of the are recorded from the park’s listed 37 species of reptiles species in Western Ghats and forest, of which 78 species are from the sanctuary, including is approximately 200km from

12 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 the nearest recorded locality B. Jethva & A. Aiyadurai distribution. Tigerpaper 25(1): Bhimashankar. (2004). The Status of 8-14. Biodiversity in Purna Wildlife Vyas, R. (2007a). Present References Sanctuary (A comprehensive conservation scenario of ecological and socio- Reptile fauna in Gujarat Stat, Champion, H.G. & S.K. Seth economic study). Gujarat India. The Indian Forester (1967). A Revised Survey Ecological Education and 133(10): 1381-1394. of The Forest Types of India. Research (GEER) Foundation, Vyas, R. (2007b). Reptilian Manager of Publication, Gandhinagar and Forest fauna of Purna Wildlife Government of India, New Department, Government of Sanctuary, Gujarat, India. Delhi, 404pp. Gujarat, August 2004, 150pp. Reptile Rap 8: 10-15 Daniel, J.C. (2002). The Sharma, R.C. (2000). Reptilia, Vyas R. (in press). Discussion Book of Indian Reptiles and pp. 243-297. In: State Fauna on snake fauna of Gujarat Amphibians. Bombay Natural Series 8: Fauna of Gujarat, state, with some notable History Society/Oxford Part – I. Zoological Survey of records of snakes. Journal of University Press, Bombay, India, Kolkata. the Bombay Natural History 238pp. Smith, M.A. (1943). The Fauna Society Daniel, J.C. & E.M. Shull of British India, including Whitaker, R. & A. Captain (1963). A list of the reptiles Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia (2004). Snakes of India - and amphibians of Surat, and Amphibia. Vol. III. The Field Guide. Draco Books, Dangs, South Gujarat. Journal Serpentes. Taylor and Francis, Chennai, India, xiv+481pp. of the Bombay Natural History London, 583pp. Society 60: 737-743. Vyas, R. (1993). Studies Acknowledgement Gayen, N.C. (1999): A synopsis on some snakes (Ophidia- I thank Snehal Patel, of the reptiles of Gujarat, Reptilia) of Gujarat state, President, Nature Club, Surat for western India. Hamadryad India, PhD Thesis, Bhavnagar logistic support and help during 24(1): 1-22. University, Bhavnagar, India, the field trips. Also, special thanks Pandey, C.N., S.P. Patel, C. 187pp. (Unpublished). to Mr. Varad Giri, Bombay Natural Chavan, H. Salvi, B.H. Vyas, R. (1998). The reptiles History Society, Mumbai for Patel, R. Vyas, P. Trivedi, of Gujarat state: Updated providing literatures for this study.

Habituation and a typical feeding habit of lizards for food and his social Bengal Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis needs. Monitor lizards are also (Schneider) in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat eaten by tribal people in many provinces of the country and Hiren Soni 1 & M.S. Bushra Jarulla 2 are a good source of leather. Presently, Monitors are facing 1,2 Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Study & Research in Biotechnology & Allied Sciences (ARIBAS), New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat threats due to various types 388120, India of anthropogenic activities Email: 1 [email protected] such as illegal export of skin, manufacturing of musical instruments, extraction of The wealth lizards form one of the largest oil for medicines for body of India is about 75,500 groups comprising 158 ailments and meat for food species, of which 420 species species (Rao 1997). Over (Thanh 1996). are reptiles belonging to the past few years, man has In some parts of 137 genera and 26 families. extensively exploited these India (Chintapalle Area, Among herpetofauna of India, creatures including monitor Visakhapatnam, Andhra

13 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Pradesh), they are even killed Lizard to urban environment duplexes, twins, flats, etc.). as a matter of superstition of the Department of The premise is covered by a (that these are the Biosciences, S.P. University of small wetland (Bakrol Pond, most poisonous animals) due Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, West) and open sparse fallow to their weird appearance. India, associated with its land (East). The premise is Live monitors are used in unusual feeding habit. 3-storeyed having teaching fertility rites (believed to rooms and research lab of have aphrodisiac values), Study Area which, the Biotechnology lab and serpent festivals. In is situated on the ground recent past, over-hunting Vallabh Vidyanagar floor, and is visited by 7 to 8 and habitat loss has resulted (25034’N & 72054’E) with a researchers (~12 hrs/day). in these species being human population of around In the first week of included in under Schedule 35,000 is a unique educational October 2007, during our I (Part II) of the Indian township, developed as a lunch hour (at around 1300hr), Wildlife (Protection) Act, center for higher education we saw a single adult Bengal 1972. Presently, the greatest in rural surroundings. It is Monitor Lizard entering from threat to lizard population is about 2km from Karamsad the rear window (where the permanent habitat alteration (West), the hometown of open sparse fallow land exists) or destruction, especially Late Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai into the lab, hiding under the in the complex and poorly Patel, and 5km from Anand, chemical cupboard, placed on understood regions of the the Milk Capital of India a black granite platform. After world. (East). It lies in the heart of 10 to 15 minutes, it exited In India, four types Anand District, Gujarat State, through the same window into of monitor lizards occur viz. India. The township became its natural habitat. On the Bengal Monitor Lizard Varanus functional in 1947 and Sardar next day at the same time, bengalensis, Water Monitor Patel University started it entered the lab from the Lizard Varanus salvator, functioning in 1956. The lush same window, and hid itself Desert Monitor Lizard Varanus green campus of Biosciences under an incubator, placed griseus and Yellow Monitor department spreads over on the same platform. After Lizard Varanus flavescens. 2km; a quiet and peaceful few minutes, it exited. This Of these, the Bengal Monitor place adjacent to urban behaviour was observed at Lizard is very commonly found distractions, and an ideal least for a week. As the days in the tropical, sub-tropical place for studying biodiversity passed by the lizard spent and almost all biotopes from elements due to its rich flora more and more time (20 to evergreen forests to dry and fauna. 30 minutes per day) in the grasslands; but their numbers lab under an incubator. This are receding very rapidly. Observations behaviour was observed for Although these creatures are about two weeks. relatively large in size, they The present Gradually, it started mostly feed on insects such investigation was made at the to come out from hiding and as ants, snails and beetles. Department of Biosciences learnt to keep a safe distance They also eat animals such (DOB) a remote and isolated of ~1 m from us. We noticed as ground birds, fish, , educational premise situated that the lizard ran away by our snakes, other lizards and 3km (North) from Vallabh arm gestures. After 30 days small mammals (Wikipedia Vidyanagar, Gujarat. Although it had successfully habituated 2008). DOB is far from Vallabh to us. The security night The present Vidyanagar, it is adjoined by watchman reported that the observation reports the human settlements (societies, lizard had stopped exiting preference of Bengal Monitor complexes, apartments, from the window to its natural

14 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 habitat after evening hours. Biodiversity and Biodiversity As per his night patrolling Loss. Paper presented during remarks, the lizard started ‘Seminar on Environment and liberally moving hither and Development in ’, at thither into the lab; searching Australian National University. for food (insects, flies, beetles, On-line web source: http:// spiders, ants, etc.), and then coombs.anu.edu.au/~vern/ safely returned to its ‘hide’. env_dev/papers/pap02.html It was observed that during (Accessed on 23th December most of the hours of the day 2008) (in our presence), it remained Wikipedia (2008) Bengal under ‘hide’, except during Monitor. On-line web source: lunch hours. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ When a ‘Roti’ was Bengal_monitor (Accessed on Reptile Rap is registered under offered the lizard started 23th December 2008) Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, which allows its movement at a snail’s unrestricted use of articles in any pace towards us keeping a medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by safe distance of 0.5m from providing adequate credit to the us, smelled the food and authors and the source of publi- returned to its ‘hide’. After a cation. 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. REPTILE RAP It ate ‘Fries / Yellow Pipes’ sitting in a close proximity to Number 10, June 2010 us. This behaviour lasted for Editor: Sanjay Molur two weeks. The lizard was Editorial Advisor: Sally Walker now absolutely habituated to our presence (including SARN Co-chairs: Sanjay Molur & S. Bhupathy our habitual gestures!) and offerings of food. This lasted REPTILE RAP is the Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile for three weeks. Network (SARN). 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. well as conservation actioners and enthusiasts at large.

References For communication: South Asian Reptile Network Rao, R.J. (1997). Suryey of the c/o Zoo Outreach Organisation, consrevation status of Monitor 9-A, Lal Bahadur Colony, PB 1683, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, lizards (Varanus sp.) in India. Tamil Nadu 641004, India On-line web source: http:// Ph: +91 422 2561743, 2561087; envfor.nic.in/divisions/re/ Fax: +91 422 2563269 ta5p5.html (Accessed on 23th Email: [email protected] December 2008) Thanh, V. Ngoc (1996). REPTILE RAP is available online at www.zoosprint.org

15 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Observations on feeding behavior of a wild studied during a period of one population of Marsh Crocodile in Baghdarrah year, from June 2007 to May, Lake, Udaipur, Rajasthan 2008.

Chhaya Bhatnagar 1 & Meenakshi Mahur 2 Study area and methods

Department of Zoology, In Rajasthan, 33 areas Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India Email: [email protected]; [email protected] have been declared as “closed areas” for conservation and better management of various Crocodiles, alligators, and function through selective flora and fauna. Baghdarrah caiman, gharials and false predation on fish species, Nature Park is one of them gharials make up the recycling of nutrients and and is situated 20km south crocodilian group which maintenance of wetlands in east of Udaipur. It is under has survived for about 200 droughts. the jurisdiction of Udaipur millions years. In India, three Lake Baghdarrah, Wildlife Division. In the year species of crocodiles occur located in Baghdarrah Nature 1982 this area of 342.19 ha naturally: Estuarine or Salt- Park (Udaipur Wildlife Division, was declared as “closed area” water Crocodile Crocodylus Udaipur, Rajasthan) forms under Wildlife (Protection) porosus (Schneider), Mugger an ideal habitat for marsh Act of 1972, which after or Marsh Crocodile Crocodylus crocodile. The term “nature amendment was called palustris (Lesson) and Gharial park” can be used for any place Nature Park in 2002. A small Gavialis gangeticus (Gmelin). which has important species population of Crocodylus Crocodylus palustris, the of wild plants and animals. palustris naturally inhabits the most “broad-snouted” Marsh Baghdarrah was declared small lake within the nature Crocodile species is known to Nature Park in 2002 vide park. inhabit freshwater streams, administrative notification To study the feeding rivers, lakes and ponds. The of Department of Forest, behavior of crocodiles at adult mugger measures about Government of Rajasthan. No Baghdarrah Lake, a weekly 4m in length and weighs documentation of fauna has observation plan was followed around 300kg. It is a rough- been carried out previously in for a period of one year i.e. skinned reptile and prefers this nature park. Thus, there 56 visits during the course slow-moving and shallower is no scientific data available of study. On each visit the areas of lakes and rivers. It on various behavioral patterns observations were recorded has been included in the list of of crocodile in this area so far. from 0830hr to 1700hr by threatened species according The present study was aimed sitting at the pre-identified to the Red List of IUCN and from at documenting the feeding observation post. This post then onwards, conservative behavior of Marsh Crocodile. was located at such a place that measures have been taken for The feeding behavior was it facilitated viewing the entire its protection. The Mugger is now categorized as Vulnerable Table 1. Morphometric details of the Bagdarrah Lake Udaipur in IUCN Red List (2008). The (Rajasthan) species was threatened in the S.No. Details Location past by unregulated hunting o o for skin and now the threat 1 Location 73 48’E & 24 31’N (577m) is more due to its habitat 2 Water spread area 1.8 km2 destruction (Britton 2003). 3 Catchment area 500 ha Crocodiles are regarded as 4 Maximum depth 8.5m “key-stone species” that maintain ecosystem structure 5 Dam Masonry

16 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Table 2. Food of Crocodiles

Number of Date of Animal as a food Eaten by crocodiles observation feeding on prey 18 July 07 (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 Sub adult 1 12 Oct 07 Bird Adult Crocodile 1 9 Nov 07 Ptyas (Rat snake) Adult Crocodile 1 Image 1. Three crocodiles (arrows) feeding on python 4 Dec 07 Insects Hatchlings 1 18 Dec 07 Bird Adult Crocodile 1 or rolling action of the body. 7 Jan 08 Bird Adult Crocodile 1 More than two crocodiles 4 Feb 08 Bird Adult Crocodile 1 were observed to feed on the 3 March 08 Buffalo Adult Crocodile 2 same prey when the prey was 9 April 08 Squirrel Adult Crocodile 1 large. Three crocodiles were seen to feed on a python lake and its surroundings. turtles, crabs, snakes, birds, (Image 1 - arrows) which The behavioral activities were cows and squirrels while had wandered near the water watched carefully using field young ones were found to body (about 1.5m). It was binoculars (Olympus 10 x 50 feed on fish, insects and frogs. seen that the crocodile sat DPS I) and recorded. The mechanism by which the motionless and allowed the aquatic prey species were python to come closer at Observations captured under water could about a distance 0.9m. The Crocodylus palustris not be documented. The Mugger stalked and attacked feeds on a number of prey feeding behavior of crocodile the prey from its anterior species. The different types while feeding on land animals end. The python tried to coil of prey captured by young was closely observed. The around the crocodile but could and adults and mechanism reptile sat camouflaged and not succeed. The crocodile by which they captured were motionless in water waiting quickly pulled the python into recorded during the study for the prey (Cattle Egret) water (Image 2). Two other period. In Table 2, various to come to it. Its eyes and crocodiles also appeared and animals were recorded that nostrils were above the water attacked the python and tore were captured by adult as well level and rest of the body was it into pieces. as young ones indicating that hidden underwater. When they had different choices of prey came within reach, it Discussion food. The feeding behavior quickly snapped its muscular Crocodile is an has been recorded in Table jaws around the prey and opportunistic feeder and takes 2. dragged it below the water a wide array of prey. Mugger The morphometric to drown. Before attacking Crocodiles on Salsette Island, features of the Baghdarrah the large prey (a calf), it Mumbai, were said to feed on Lake were observed and rotated its head sideways by the fruits of the fig tree Ficus recorded in Table 1. The 45 degrees. After this act, glomerata (Abdulali 1938). lake is rich in aquatic fauna, it allowed the body of large This is the first record of hence main food of crocodiles prey to remain under water Crocodylys palusrtris feeding consists of fish, frogs, turtles for a considerable period of on squirrel (Funambulus and crabs. Adult crocodiles time. Large prey was broken palmarum), krait (Bungarus were observed to feed on fish, into smaller pieces by twisting caeruleus), and python

17 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 known as dome-pressure- Bombay Natural History receptors (DPRs) on their Society 40: 336. faces that can detect tiny Britton, A. (2003). Crocodiles, disruption in the surface of Alligators, Caimans Gharials. water (Santiapillai et al. 2004). In: Grzimek’s Animal life These DRPs help in attacking Encyclopaedia, 2nd Edition. prey. Swallowing occurs REPTILES, vol. 7, pp 101 above the water surface as the – 108. (Crocodilian biology crocodile may drown. A fleshy database - www.flmnh.ufl. “palatal valve” at the back edu.). Image 2. Crocodile pulling the of the throat prevents water Das, I., Z. Whitaker & R. dead python in the mouth from entering Whitaker (1993). The World the throat, oesophagus and of Turtles and Crocodiles. (Python molurus). Crocodiles trachea when the head is National Book Trust, New do not really eat as much as submerged. This enables the Delhi, India, 34pp. people think. A big crocodile crocodile to open its mouth Johnson, C.R. (2008). Behavior weighing over 150kg eats only at any time underwater and of the Australian crocodiles, 20kg of meat per month (Das is particularly useful during Crocodylus johnstoni and C. et al. 1993). The recorded prey capture (Britton 2003). Porosus. Zoological Journal stomach contents of the Stones and pebbles are often of the Linnean Society 52(4): mugger include leopard, wild ingested to aid digestion and 315–336. dog, hyena, chital, sambar, as ballast in floating and Ranjitsinh, M.K. (1989). nilgai fawn, four-horned diving. A 3.5m long crocodile Mugger (Crocodylus palustris) antelope, barking deer, had about a kilogram of eating soft shell turtle. Journal monkey, domestic dogs, goats, stones in its stomach (Simcox of the Bombay Natural History calves, pig, ducks, a variety 1906). Rotating head by 450 Society 86: 107. of wild birds, snakes and soft- is achieved by making the Santiapillai, C., S. shelled turtles (Ranjitsinh rest of the body rigid through Wijeyamohan, R. 1989). For 6000 crocodiles the contraction of longitudinal Vandercone & R. at the Madras Crocodile Bank, muscles along the back and Somaweera (2004). two tons of fish, meat, rats tail. This result in ‘tail-arching’ Crocodiles of Sri Lanka. and mole crabs are bought which allows the head to be Mannar District Rehabilitation every week and the crocodiles swung efficiently (Santiapillai and Reconstruction through are fed every other day. C. et al. 2004). Community Approach Project. johnstoni prefers to eat fish (www. MANRECAP.com). either dead or alive while References Simcox, A.H.A. (1906). C. porosus prefers to eat The crocodile, its food and fish, amphibians and birds Abdulali, H. (1938). The food muscular vitality. Journal of (Johnson 2008). of the Mugger (Crocodylus the Bombay Natural History Crocodiles have palustris). Journal of the Society 16: pp. 375 – 376. specialized sensory organs

18 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

1,2 Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal, Satara District, Maharashtra 412801, India Email: 1 [email protected]

Snakes are exposed debilitated and did not show to numerous parasites since any movement. The snake they feed principally on died within 15 minutes of live mammals, amphibians, rescue. insects and occasionally on Image 3. Ulcer in Stomach animals of their own kind Observations (Page 1966). Different The snake was References incidences of helminthiasis are emaciated. No signs of observed in snakes including stomatitis were found. Few Page, L.A. (1966). Diseases Rhabditidae nematodes nematodes were found in the and Infections of Snakes: A (Sabu et. al. 2002), spirurid viscera beneath the pleura review. Bulletin of the Wildlife nematodes (Jones 1995) and (Image 1). The stomach Disease Association 2(Oct): Strongyloides and Strongyle was completely filled with 120-121. infestation (Jayathangaraj nematodes (Image 2). Sabu, L., K. Devada, et al. 2006). We present a An ulcer was noted in the H. Subramanian & case of nematodiasis in Green mucosa of the stomach while J.V. Cheeran (2002). Keelback Macropisthodon the rest of the intestine was Diploscapter coronata (Cobb, plumbicolor. hemorrhagic (Image 3). Very 1893) infestation in captive few intradermal nodules snakes. Zoos’ Print Journal Case History were seen. The nematodes 17(12): 954-956. A moribund adult were collected and were Jones, H.I. (1995). Pathology Green Keelback was rescued identified as spirurids (Family: associated with physalopterid from human habitation in Spiruridae) with spirally coiled larvae (Nematoda: Spiruridae) the month of March, 2008. hind end bearing lateral alae in the gastric tissue of The snake was completely and papillae (Soulsby 1968). Australian reptiles. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 31(3): 299- 306. Jayathangaraj, M.G., S. Ramesh, S.A. Basith & R. Rajarathinam (2006). A case of mouth rot and helminthiasis in a Spectacled Cobra Naja naja. Zoos’ Print Journal 21(1): 2142. Soulsby, E.J.L. (1968). Helminths Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated Animals - 6th edition. Williams and Wilkins Company, Image 1. Nematodes outside G.I. Baltimore, 285pp. tract Image 2. Nematodes in Stomach 19 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Ninety-six young ones born to Russell’s Viper Solapur operates the snake Daboia russelii rescue centre and usually capture snakes from houses, Bilal Habib 1 & Bharat Cheda 2 industries, schools and public places. Nonpoisonous snakes 1 Scientist – C, Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India are released at the same site 2 Nature Conservation Circle, C/o Swastik Readymade, Nevipeth Solapur, after making the locals aware Maharashtra, India Email: 1 [email protected] of the benefits of the snake and by explaining to them that the snake is nonpoisonous and This note gives the rainfall of 750mm, distributed harmless. Poisonous snakes account of highest number of over 3-4 months. The rainfall are released far away in the young ones so far produced is erratic and drought is the wild places within 24 hours of by Russell’s viper in India. common phenomenon. The capture. The previous record of highest average temperature varies On 15, June 2005 number of young ones (63) from 150C in December to at about 1645hr one of the was way back in 1906. This 460C in May. During rainy members of NCC Solapur is the highest record after 99 season the records of Russell’s received the call from a local years in wild. The number of Viper is more. villager that a huge python young ones born was 96. The arrival of the was sighted in his field. Russell’s Viper is widely monsoon in this area coincides After receiving the call it was distributed throughout Asia in with the peak period of birth attended within 15 minutes. It the Indian subcontinent from of Russell’s Viper whish was found that the snake was Baluchistan in the west and is between June and July. misidentified for a python and Kashmir in the north to the Because of its pattern it is more was actually Russell’s Viper eastern Himalaya and east often confused with Python measuring 1615mm. The wards to , , (Python molurus) by local viper was found more sluggish Indo-China, Formosa, Indo- people of Solapur. The Nature and was unable to move at all Australian Archipelago and Sri Conservation Circle (NCC) from its place. Swelling was 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

20 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 seen from half of its body till vessel and release them back maximum record so far in the the genital opening. Initially it immediately to some wild wild is 63 (Wall 1906), but was suspected that some prey place. Initially, the female instances of a single foetus may have been consumed was captured by net and or less than 20 are known recently. It was captured placed in well ventilated box. (Daniel 2002). from this area (17032’13.7”N After these young ones were & 76010’55.7”E) which is observed it was found that out References 45km away from Solapur on of 96, 51 were already dead Solapur-Akalkot Road. Since and only 45 where alive. Live Daniel, J.C. (2002). The unusual swelling was seen, it young ones were captured book of Indian Reptiles and was decided to be released by net and placed in well Amphibian. Bombay Natural the next morning back to ventilated box and carried to History Society and Oxford some wild place. The snake the point of release. Initially, University Press, viii+238pp. was kept under continuous the female was released Wall, F. (1906). The breeding observation during the night. and after that young ones. of Russell’s Viper. Journal of At about 0315hr on 16 June Female continued around the Bombay Natural History 2005, usual hissing was heard till the young ones escaped Society 16: 292-312. from the room in which the here and there and after that viper was kept. After opening female also escaped in a near Acknowledgements the door it was found that by cover. We thank all the members viper started to give birth to Fifty-one dead ones of NCC Solapur for their timely young ones. Without any where kept for measurements. efforts in saving the life of a gravid disturbance the door was The longest was 228mm and female which otherwise may have again closed. During morning the smallest was 152mm with been killed by villagers. Special hours small hole was made to an average length of 182mm thanks to Hiremath, Kumbhar for window and it was found that (N = 51). their efforts in the field. Special viper continued to give birth The Russell’s Viper is thanks to Nattu for his long ride to young ones untill 0930hr. considered one of the most in a rainy day from Solapur to After it stopped we decided prolific snakes of India, Akalkot. to capture the young ones frequently producing 30 by net, put them in some or more young ones. The

21 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 A report on the unusual body weight of a their emergence. Emergence hatchling Python molurus molurus of hatchlings, leaving the yolk sac within the shell, may have C. Ramesh 1 & S. Bhupathy 2 implications on their survival. Van Mierop & Barnard (1976) 1,2 Sálim Ali Cere for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty (PO), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641108, India reported that the yolk reserve Email: 1 [email protected], 2 [email protected] helps nursing the hatchlings up to five weeks. Upon thorough The Indian Rock Python and general ecology of KNP is search in the nest sites and Python molurus, one of the available in Vijayan (19901.) surroundings (on the morning largest snakes of the world, Two females measuring of 02 August 2008, 0500hr), is endangered due to habitat about 3.9m and 3.0m laid we found 13 live hatchlings. destruction and indiscriminate eggs on 20 May 2008 and they They measured 615.4mm hunting for hide (Whitaker were under visual observation (Range 520-650) in total 1993). Despite its wide- on regular basis. The piping length and weighed 111.2 spread distribution, breeding of first eggs was observed (90-120)g. Mean ventral and biology of this species is poorly on 28 July (69th day) and subcaudal scale counts of nine known (Bhupathy & Vijayan emergence of a few hatchlings hatchlings were 247.2 (Range 1989; Daniel 2002). In the from eggs were observed on 243-251) and 63.3 (60-68) present paper, we report a the 70th day, but all of them respectively. The present hatchling of Python molurus retreated back into the shell biometry data of the hatchling with unusual body weight during the next two or three Python molurus are similar observed in the wild. nights. Since the first sign of to that reported earlier from The Keoladeo National piping of eggs, the nests were captivity (Vinegar 1973; Van Park (KNP, 2707.6’N & under continuous observation Mierop & Barnard 1976; Vyas 77033.2’E), Bharatpur is one of till dispersal of hatchlings on 1996, 1998). One hatchling the World Heritage Sites and the night of 01 August 2008. was found dead near the nest is famous for the congregation Continuous observation for 24 with 37 eggs, which measured of wintering waterfowl. Area hours using a digital thermo 640mm in total length and of this Park is 29km2, including hygrometer during incubation weighed 200g. No sign of about 8.5km2 of wetland. period showed 26.9-42.80C deformity was found externally The vegetation is dominated ambient temperature and 39- and the reason for the death by a mixture of xerophytic 95.5% relative humidity. of this hatchling is unknown. and semi-xerophytic species On the morning of As the weight was unusual, we such as Accacia nilotica, 02 August, we examined presumed that this hatchling Prosopis cineraria, P. juliflora, the nests, which had 19 and would have fed on another Salvadora persica, S. oleoides, 37 eggs respectively and hatchling snake or had its first Capparis decidua and C. one egg in the first and two prey. Cannibalism in Python sepiaria (Prasad et al. 1996). in the other did not hatch, molurus has been reported in The climate of the area is sub- which accounted for about captivity (Kalaiarasan 1992). humid to semi-arid. Annual 95% hatching success. Three The dead snake was rainfall of the KNP is 650mm out of 37 hatched eggs had dissected and was found and most of the rain is received yolk sac left within the shell to have a mass of fat along during June-July. This area (Image 1), but hatchlings oesophagus and cloaca lying experiences extreme climatic were observed emerging between skin and alimentary conditions with monthly mean successfully. We presume canal (Image 2). We believe varying from 0.50C to 500C. that all other hatchlings that the pressure of this Description on the climate withdrew the yolk sac prior to mass have interfered with

22 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

Image 1. Hatched Python molurus Image 2. Dead Python molurus hatchling showing mass of fat found eggs showing yolk sac left within between skin and body cavity. the shell. the function of vital organs Prasad, V.P., D. Mason, Whitaker, R. (1993). Population that would have caused J.E. Marburger & C.R.A. status of the Indian python the death of this individual. Kumar (1996). Illustrated (Python molurus) on the Indian Information on the range of Flora of Keoladeo National sub continent. Herpetological weight (maximum- minimum) Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Natural History 1(1): 87-89. of hatchlings and its impact Bambay Natural History on growth, survivorship Society, 435pp. Acknowledgment and reproduction in reptiles Van Mierop, L.H.S. & S.M. This paper is an offshoot are poorly known. Data Barnard (1976). Observation of the Python Project (20- on diseases and remedial on the reproduction of Python 28/2005 WL) sponsored by the measures are also poorly molurus bivittatus (Reptilia, Wildlife Division of the Ministry known, which is vital for Serpents, Boidae). Journal of of Environment and Forests, managing species in both wild Herpetology 10(4): 333-340. Government of India. We are and captivity. Vinegar, A. (1973). The effect grateful to the Chief Wildlife of temperature on the growth Warden, Rajasthan, and Mr. References and development of embryos Sunayan Sharma, Director of KNP of the Indian python, Python for the permission to undertake Bhupathy, S. & V.S. Vijayan molurus (Reptilia: Serpents: this study. We thank the Director, (1989). Status, distribution Boidae). Copeia 1: 171-173. SACON for the encouragement and general ecology of the Vijayan, V.S. (1991). Keoladeo given and the facilities provided. Indian python (Python molurus National Park ecology study. molurus) in Keoladeo National Final Report (1980-1990). Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Bombay Natural History Journal of the Bombay Natural Society, Bombay, 337pp. History Society 86: 381-387. Vyas, R. (1996). Captive Daniel, J.C. (2002). The breeding of the Indian Rock book of Indian Reptiles and Python (Python molurus Amphibians. Bombay Natural molurus). The snake 27: 127- History Society, Mumbai, 134. 238pp. Vyas, R. (1998). Notes on Kalaiarasan, V. (1992). growth and maturity in Python Cannibalism in Pythons. Cobra molurus molurus. Hamadryad 8: 11-12. 23: 69-71.

23 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 Artificial incubation, hatching and release of the Indian Rock Python Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758), in Nilambur, Kerala

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 Sajeev T.V. © P.O., Nilambur, Kerala 679334, India Email: 1 [email protected], 2 [email protected], Image 1. Cluster of eggs of Indian 3 [email protected] Rock Python deserted by the mother due to human disturbance

The Indian Rock 2003) growth, development control over the environmental Pythons Python molurus and management (Acharjyo parameters, climate- (Linnaeus 1758) are large, & Misra 1980; Sekar & controlled environmental heavy-bodied non-venomous Jagnnadha-rao 1995; Vyas chambers are commonly used snakes that kill their prey by 1998) of captive populations. for the artificial incubation constriction. The species is In majority of these captive of several species of reptiles widely distributed through out breeding studies, the (Damme et al. 1992; Spotila the Indian Subcontinent and incubation was done by the et al. 1994; Joanen & McNease east to the Malay Peninsula female itself. However, other 2009). In this note, we report and western (Smith studies used moist cotton the use of climate-controlled 1943; Das 2002). It occupies wool/vermiculite substrate environmental chambers for a wide range of habitats from method (Dattatri 1990; Vyas, the artificial incubation of Rock dry and rocky scrub to moist 1996, 2002) or slate-bottomed Python eggs which is, to our forests. It has been listed aquariums in which the eggs knowledge not yet reported in in Schedule I of the Indian were placed on the surface of the literature. Wildlife Protection Act 1972, soil in small crockery or plastic On 02 May 2008, and also listed under CITES, cups (Walsh & Murphy 2003) we received an abandoned subsequent to severe habitat for artificial incubation. egg mass of Indian Rock loss and poaching for the skin, Ambient temperature Pythons, containing 17 eggs meat and pet trade. However, variations are known to from the officials of Kerala the species is listed under the influence the growth and Forest Department, Nilambur Lower Risk-Near Threatened development of python (Image 1). The eggs were IUCN Redlist category (World embryos (Vinegar 1973, 1974; obtained whilst clearing out Conservation Monitoring Branch & Patterson 1975). an erstwhile unattended patch Centre 1996). The eggs incubated at low of reserved forest (11017’N Little is known about and fluctuating temperatures & 76015’E) near to human the status, ecology and are reported to have a lower habitation at Nilambur Forest reproduction of the natural hatching success and produced Range, Kerala. populations of Indian Rock juveniles with abnormal The average Python (Bhupathy & Vijayan colour patterns (Vinegar measurements of the eggs 1989). However, a large 1973; Walsh & Murphy 2003). were as follows: 102.7±3.3 number of studies describe Thus maintenance of optimal mm length (range = 98- the breeding (Yadav 1967; environmental conditions is 108 mm; n = 7) and 58.6± Acharjyo & Misra 1976; important while incubating the 3.1 mm width (range = 57- Dattatri 1990; Kalaiarasan & eggs artificially, but which is 62 mm; n = 5). Several Rathinasabapathy 1991; Urfi often difficult in the aquariums eggs were in bad condition 1997; Vyas 1996, 2002; Joshi or zoo enclosures (Walsh & due to prolonged absence of et al. 2001; Walsh & Murphy Murphy 2003). For a precise incubation. The eggs were 24 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010

© P. Balakrishnan

© P. Balakrishnan

Image 2. Well-developed python embryo with yolk sac in a damaged egg Image 3. Indian Rock Python hatchling after 10 days of hatching and before release placed in a sterilized jute sack within the climate-controlled and logs. This chamber was the exact success rate cannot environmental chamber (1m3) kept in room temperature be calculated. The single egg at the Entomology Laboratory, and the photoperiod was hatched was on the 25th day of Kerala Forest Research maintained at 10 (light):14 artificial incubation and we are Institute, Nilambur. The (dark) hours using artificial not aware about the natural environmental chamber was lights. The chamber was incubation received under the set at a temperature between covered with glass to reduce mother and number of days 28 to 32 0C, relative humidity heat loss. the eggs left unattended. The between 70 to 90% and on Ecdysis occurred on incubation period in pythons a 12 light: 12 dark photo 06 June 2008. The hatchling range between 66-85 days period. These environmental looked like the adult snake in artificial conditions (Vyas parameters were set based except for the size (Image 3). 2002; Walsh & Murphy 2003). on the previous studies The snake was offered live If these periods are applied (Vinegar 1973; Walsh & chicks and mice but it did not here, the egg laying may have Murphy 2003). Discoloured eat till the release. The mass occurred in the first fortnight and malodorous eggs were and measurements (mass = of March. removed periodically from the 134.7g, snout to vent length The environmental environmental chamber. (SVL) = 515mm and tail length conditions are known to A single egg hatched on (TL) = 75mm) taken after 10 influence the growth and 28 May 2008. The remaining days of fledging indicate the development of python eggs were maintained in the growth in python is slow as embryos (Vinegar 1973, environmental chamber but reported in other studies (Vyas 1974; Branch & Patterson all of them failed to hatch. 2000). On 09 June 2008, the 1975). Previous studies The dead eggs were dissected snake was handed over to have documented the optimal and found to contain well- the local forest department environmental conditions developed embryos (Image 2). officials and it was released required for the artificial The mass and measurements in an evergreen forest at incubation of python eggs of the hatchling after 24 Chathamborai (11016’N & (Vinegar 1973, 1974; Branch hours of hatching was: mass 76013’E), Nilambur North & Patterson 1975; Walsh & = 132gm, snout to vent Forest Division. Murphy 2003). However, it length (SVL) = 480mm and As we received the is often difficult to maintain tail length (TL) = 70mm. The eggs which were deserted by these conditions in the hatchling was maintained in a the female during incubation traditional methods used for 1m3 wooden and wire-mesh due to human disturbance, the artificial incubation (Walsh & chamber containing hide pots exact incubation period and Murphy 2003). The present 25 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 study proved the usefulness reference to age at first egg- (2009). Artificial incubation of climate-controlled environ- laying. Journal of the Bombay of alligator eggs and post mental chambers for the Natural History Society 77: hatching culture in controlled artificial incubation of python 344-350. environmental chambers. eggs. The advantage of this Acharjyo, L.N. & R. Misra Journal of the World (1976). Aspects of Mariculture Society 8(1-4): method over other methods reproduction and growth of 483-490. could not be discerned, the Indian python, Python Joshi, K.C., S.S. Yadav & R. because of the fact that the molurus molurus in captivity. Vyas (2001). Breeding of eggs we used in our study British Journal of Herpetology captive python at Kota Zoo, were partially damaged. 5: 562-565. Rajastan. Zoos’ Print Journal They were also deserted by Bhupathy, S. & V.S. Vijayan 16(5): 496. the female during incubation (1989). Status, distribution, Kalaiarasan, V. & B. due to human disturbance. and general ecology of the Rathinasabapathy. (1991). Further experiments using Indian python Python molurus Breeding of the Indian python fresh eggs are required to test molurus Linn. in Keoladeo Python molurus. Cobra 3: 10- the efficiency of this method National Park, Bharatpur, 12. as other artificial incubation Rajasthan. Journal of Bombay Sekar, M. & M. Jagnnadha- methods yielded low hatching Natural History Society 86: rao (1995). Management of 381-387. Indian rock python (Python success (Vyas 1996, 2002). Branch, W.R. & R.W. Patterson molurus) in captivity at Although large number (1975). Notes on the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, of pythons were caught in the development of embryos of the Vandalur, Madras. Cobra 22: lowland areas in Nilambur African rock python, Python 14-16. and translocated by the forest sebae (Serpentes: Boidae). Smith, M.A. (1943). The Fauna department, a significant Journal of Herpetology 9: of British India, Ceylon and number of adults were killed 243-247. Burma, including the whole and eggs remain unattended Damme, R.V., D. Bauwens, of Indo-Chinese sub-region. or destroyed. Though the F. Braña, & R.F. Verheyen Reptilia and Ambhibia. Vol. success rate was low due to (1992). Incubation 111 -Sepentes. Taylor and the poor condition of eggs temperature differentially Francis, London, xii+582pp. while they were received, in a affects hatching time, egg Spotila, J.R., L.C. Zimmerman, conservation point of view, our survival, and hatchling C.A. Binckley, J.S. Grumbles, performance in the D.C. Rostal, A. List, E.C. method proved successful for lizard Podarcis muralis. Beyer, K.M. Phillips & incubation of the python eggs Herpetologica 48: 220–228. S.J. Kemp (1994). Effects in such situations. A regional Das, I. (2002). A Photographic of incubation conditions conservation education and Guide to The Snakes and on sex determination, awareness programme along Other Reptiles of India. New hatching success, and with the captive management Holland Publishers, London, growth of hatchling desert of injured snakes and eggs 144pp. tortoises, Gopherus agassizii. may help to save the pythons Dattatri, S. (1990). Breeding Herpetological Monographs 8: and other non-venomous the Indian python (Python 103-116. snakes in this area. m. molurus) under captive Urfi, A.J. (1997). Successful conditions in India, pp.488– breeding of the Indian Rock 495.In: Daniel, J.C. & J.S. Python Python molurus References Serrao (eds.). Conservation molurus (Linnaeus) at in Developing Countries. Proc. Sundarvan Nature Discovery Acharjyo, L.N. & C.G. Misra Centenary Seminar, Bombay Centre, Ahmedabad. Zoos’ (1980). Growth rate of Natural History Society, Print Journal 12(1): 4-5. Indian python Python molurus Oxford University Press/ Vinegar, A. (1973). The effects molurus (Serpentes: Boidae) BNHS, Mumbai. of temperature on the growth in captivity with special Joanen, T. & L. McNease and development of embryos

26 REPTILE RAP #10, June 2010 of the Indian python, Python Hamadryad 20: 3435. 2009.1. . Downloaded Boidae). Copeia 1973: 171- on captive Indian Rock Python on 21 August 2009. 173. (Python molurus mulurus). Yadav, R.N. (1967). Python Vinegar, A. (1974). Zoos’ Print Journal 17(4): breeding in Captivity. Evolutionary implications 752-756. International Zoo Yearbook 7: of temperature induced Walsh, T. & J.B. Murphy 182-183. anomalies of development in (2003). Observations on snake embryos. Herpetologica the husbandry, breeding and Acknowledgements 30: 72-74. behaviour of the Indian python We are grateful to the Vyas, R. (1996). Captive Python molurus mulurus at Kerala Forest Department for breeding of the Indian Rock the National Zoological Park, their help and support and to Python (Python molurus Washington, DC. International Drs. S. Bhupathy, D. Mukherjee mulurus). The Snake 27: 127- Zoo Yearbook 38: 145-152. and K.S.A. Das for advice during 134. World Conservation this study. M. Saji, T. Simon and Vyas, R. (1998). Observations Monitoring Centre (1996). on growth in the Indian rock Python molurus. In: IUCN E.V. Ramya assisted us with the python (Python molurus 2009. IUCN Red List of maintenance of the eggs and molurus) in captivity. Threatened Species. Version hatchling.

Dead King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah found Ramana Murthy, Green Mercy, near Srikakulam in North Coastal Andhra pers. comm.) Pradesh On the morning of 28 July 09, a 14 foot long dead K.L.N Murthy 1 & K.V Ramana Murthy 2 King Cobra was spotted in the dense forest of Sitampet 1 Programme Officer, Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380054, India agency area in Srikakulam. 2 Executive Director, Green Mercy, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India It was presumably killed by Email: 1 [email protected], 2 [email protected] 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 0 83 53’59.73”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. Common Sand Boa The snake was identified as King Cobra Ophiophagus R. Alexandar 1 & J. Jayakumar 2 hannah (Image 1) by a team 1,2 Department of Ecology & Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, of experts from Green Mercy, Puducherry, India 1 a local NGO working for snake Email: [email protected] conservation in the area for nearly a decade. The dead On 21 December 2009 King Cobra weighed about at 2330hr, three adult Sand 6.5kg and as the body was fast Boa Eryx conicus (Schneider decomposing, it was carried 1801) family Boidae, the to a nearby science college status of snake as per IUCN in the Srikakulam Town. The Lower Risk-near threatened specimen was preserved there (Nationally; Molur & Walker in 10% formalin solution. 1998), measuring 1.5mm Apparently, there is an was observed foraging on ambiguity whether the snake ground near a tamarind had actually strayed from tree. A group of villagers the adjoining reserve forests were trying to kill the snake or could there be a resident fearing it for a poisonous population of King Cobras snake. After explaining about in the area? The efforts of its harmlessness and its threatened status, ecological the local NGOs and snake lovers in the past to declare benefits, and wild life crimes, the entire forest area in both we rescued the snake from the the districts of Srikakulam gang and took photographs of and Vizianagaram went in the snake and released it into vain. Incidents like these are a safe shrub 2km away from a testament to the fact that the village. Loss of habitat, there is no authenticated data trading for parts, human on the current status and interference, and the recent distribution of King Cobras increase in superstitious in this geographical region. beliefs of sacrificial offering Immediate intensive surveys of the snake are among some are mandatory to gain insights of the major threats to the into the species distribution, species. ecology and threats in these particular areas. Such References precious data is vital for Smith M.A. (1943). the fauna of chalking out conservation “Conservation Assessment and British India, including Celon and management strategies in Management Plan for Reptiles Burma, Reptilia and Amphibia future for protecting these of India” (BCPP- Endangered Vol 3 serpentes, Tailors and elusive and rare serpents. Species Project). Zoo Outreach Francis, London, XII+ 583PP. Organisation, Conservation Reference Daniel J.C (1983). The Book of Breeding Specialist Group, India, Indian Reptiles. Bombay Natural Coimbatore, India, 175pp. Whitaker, R. & A. Captain History Society, Bombay, (2004). Snakes of India - 141pp. The Field Guide. Draco Books, Molur, S. & S. Walker (eds.). Chennai, India, xiv+481pp. (1998). Report of the workshop

28