Knowing Campus Snakes · identification of snakes and management of emergent situations arising out...
Transcript of Knowing Campus Snakes · identification of snakes and management of emergent situations arising out...
SnakesKnowing Campus
A Pictorial Guide
SnakesKnowing Campus
A Pictorial Guide
© Wildlife Institute of India
Wildlife Institute of India
2015,
P O Box 18, ChandrabaniDehradun - 248002Uttarakhand
Published byThe Team:
Student Contributors:
Abhijit DasSanath Krishna M.K.Parag Nigam
Keshav GogoiPreeti SharmaNaitik Patel
All Photo Credits unless otherwise stated : Abhijit DasCover Photo: Spectacled CobraBack Cover: Wildlife Institute of India Campus
Concept
Design & Layout
Parag Nigam
Mukesh Arora
Disclaimer: The pictorial guide is not a comprehensive field guide and the readers are advised to refer to other literature for scientific reference.
FOREWORD
The Wildlife Institute of India Campus nestled in theShivalik foothills provides home to a diverse array of floraand fauna. Snakes both venomous and non venomousform an integral though rarely seen part of this myriadassemblage. This booklet is a ready reckoner of fieldidentification of snakes and management of emergentsituations arising out of snakes. I congratulate theInstitute’s team for their excellent efforts and look forwardto their future endeavours.
V.B. MathurDirector
Wildlife Institute of India campus is spread across 180 acres of area. Tucked awayin the foothills of Shivaliks, the campus shelters significant native biodiversity. Sofar 616 plant species, 310 species of birds, 90 species of butterflies, 33 species ofreptiles and amphibians are recorded from thecampus.
Seldom seen, snakes are a poorly known component of our native biodiversity.Thick leaf litter, rocky and built up areas, water bodies and streams provide snakehabitats. April to September is a good time to encounter a snake in the campus. 22different species of reptiles are recorded fromthe campus.
So far, 12 species of snakes belonging to 3 families are reported from the campus.This constitutes almost 35% of snakes reported from Uttarakhand state (34species) and only 4% of total snake diversity of India (280 species). Only twodangerously venomous species live in our backyard and it is important to be able toidentify them. Rest all our campus snakes are harmless for human beings.
and 17 species of mammals
Introduction
1Common Cat Snakes
This booklet depicts all the 12 species of snakes naturally occurring in the campus.Each species account comprises of common name, scientific name and a briefdescription for its identification. Information on average
Adult snakes growing less than 1 meter are consideredas “small snakes”, less than 2 meter are medium snakes and more than 2 meter arelarge snakes. Listing of species is based on family and in an alphabetical order.
length and maximum lengthare provided. Activity period, body pattern, preferred food, status in campus and legalstatus are depicted by symbol.
Interesting facts about Herpetofauna in our Campus
9 species of frogs and 2 species of toads among amphibians22 species of Reptiles (3 turtles, 7 lizards and 12 snakes)None among amphibians and Lizards are poisonousAll the snakes in our campus are egg layers (oviparous)Heaviest reptile is Bengal Monitor and longest is a rat snakeIndian flapshell turtle and Bengal Monitors are schedule I species
Scope of this Booklet
Indian Trinket Snakecan lift their body up when threatened. 2
Snakes have key roles in our ecosystem; they are the only predators thatcan go inside a rat hole and eat them. Thus snakes significantly controlrodent population. Others feed on frogs, lizards, insects and are alsoeaten by large animals. Thus snakes are intricately associated with foodweb around us.
Importance of Snakes
Common Uncommon Rare
C U R
Status in Campus
ScheduleII
Legal Status
ScheduleIV
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Zig Zag Bands Stripes Bands
Dots Plain
Body Pattern
NightActive
DayActive
Night &Day Active
Activity Pattern
Frog Rat Snake Lizard
Bird Ant &their eggs
Fish
Preferred Food
NonVenomous
SemiVenomous
Venomous
Color Code
Conservation
Snakes indicate a healthy ecosystem. All our snakes are protected bylaw. Cobra, Rat snakes and Checkered keelback are in Schedule II ofWildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Rest all the snakes are in Schedule IV.Please do not kill any snake.
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JuvenileCheckered Keelback
Bungarus caeruleus
A medium sized terrestrial snake. Top of body is glossyblack (greyish black during moulting) with narrow white(sometime paired) bands (1). Bands are absent in neckregion and more frequent from mid body towards tail.Middle row of scale is larger than other dorsal scales .Kraits prefer rocky areas, crevices, under cement slabs,leaf litter, termite mound, rat holes. Feeds on othersnakes, lizard, frogs and rats. Lays 6-15 eggs. Hatchlingsare 25-35 cm long and can be found during May-July.
Wide spread in India but not recorded from North EastIndia.
(2)
COMMON KRAIT
AverageLength
100 cm
MaximumLength
175 cmC Schedule
IV
1
2
(Bungarus Bangaru, means Gold in Telugu)=
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ELAPIDAE
Naja naja
Alarge growing species having round headwithout distinct hood marking on the back(1). Scales are smooth and have imbricate(means overlapping) pattern (2).
Retreats underrocks, logs, brick piles and rat holes. Feedson lizards, snakes, frogs and rats.
Wide spread across India upto Assam inthe North East.
Raiseshood when disturbed.
SPECTACLED COBRA
AverageLength
100 cm
MaximumLength
220 cmU Schedule
II
2
1
(Naja Naga, means Snake in Sanskrit)=
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ELAPIDAE
Amphiesma stolatum
A small snake with a distinct head with large eyes havinground pupil. The upper side has small black bars on anolive grey background, underside is white. It has twodistinct whitish stripes (1) along the body very distincttowards tail. Small black lines below the eyes arecharacteristics (2).Aharmless and inoffensive snake.
Largely terrestrial and prefer to stay in moist areas. Oftenseen among short grasses, leaf litter, garden, waterbodies. Active during day. Feeds on frogs and lizards. It isfound throughout plains of India.
BUFF STRIPED KEELBACK
1
2
AverageLength40 cm
MaximumLength80 cm
C ScheduleIV
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NATRICIDAE
Boiga trigonata
A slow moving small snake that is active during night.Characterized by laterally flattened body with triangularhead and large eyes. Body is light brown with whitishirregular and incomplete bands (1). An arrow headshaped mark on top of head (2). Feeds on small birds,lizards and mice. Primarily arboreal and mainly inhabitlow bushes, tree bark or crevices but also seen on theground.
Wide spread in India except North East and Andaman &Nicobar Island.
This is the only snake in the campus with avertical pupil It is mildly venomous but not dangerous tohuman.
.
COMMON CAT SNAKE
AverageLength65 cm
MaximumLength
125 cmR Schedule
IV
2
1
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COLUBRIDAE
Coelognathus helena helena
Amedium sized snake. Body tan coloured. Forebody withsquarish black (1) and white bars that are arranged likerings. Hind body uniform on top. Distinct dark brownstripes along two side of mid body and tail (2). Activelydefensive,makes 2-3 S-Shaped coil if disturbed. They areseen in Termite mounds, rocks piles and crevices.Voracious rat eaters.
Distributed throughout India.
COMMON TRINKET SNAKE
AverageLength70 cm
MaximumLength
168 cmU Schedule
IV
1
2
8
(Coelognathus Snake having ‘wide’ mouth)=
COLUBRIDAE
Lycodon aulicus
A small species. Head is flattened, uniform brown on topand eyes are black. Upper part is greyish brown withyellowish bands on body but disappear towards tail (1).Climbs rough surfaces well. Inhabits stone piles, crevicein walls and hollow trees. Feeds on geckos, small miceand small snakes.
Looks alike venomous common krait but can be identifiedby its brown body and band on the neck (2).
Distributed throughout India.
COMMON WOLF SNAKE
AverageLength30 cm
MaximumLength80 cm
R ScheduleIV
1
2
9
(Lycodon Snake having ‘Wolf’ like teeth)=
COLUBRIDAE
Lycodon jara
A small snake. Upper part is brownish with yellow dots onall the scales (1). ndersideuniform white, Feeds on frogs, skinks, small mice. Awhitish collar may be present in young animals. Climbswell. Found in leaf litter, rocky areas and crevices.
Known fromnorthern, eastern and North Eastern India.
Eyes completely black, u
YELLOW-SPECKLED WOLF SNAKE
AverageLength40 cm
MaximumLength55 cm
R ScheduleIV
1
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COLUBRIDAE
Oligodon arnesis
A small snake with a cylindrical body. Neck and head withblack arrow head shaped mark (1). Upper part of body isbrown with distinct black bands. Mainly terrestrial butclimbs rough surfaces well. Found in leaf litter, rockycrevices, termite mounds, tree holes. Feeds on skinks,mice.
Distributed across most of India except North Easternparts.
Look alike venomous krait but can be distinguished byobserving its black bands
COMMON KUKRI SNAKE
AverageLength35 cm
MaximumLength70 cm
U ScheduleIV
1 2
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(Oligodon Snake having few teeth)=
COLUBRIDAE
Ptyas mucosa
Alarge fast moving species. Head distinct, eyes large withround pupil. Upper part is blackish brown to olive in colour.Scales below eye (lip scales) are distinctly black edged(1). Scales on the tail are also black edged (2). Juvenilesare yellowish in colour. Males engage in combat dance(like wrestling) in the month of April-May. They feed onfrogs, lizards and rats.
Distributed throughout India.
INDIAN RAT SNAKE
AverageLength
200 cm
MaximumLength
350 cmC Schedule
II
1
Juveniles Rat Snake
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(Ptyas A spitter, a misnomer)=
COLUBRIDAE
Sibynophis sagittarius
A small snake. Head and neck region is black with ayellowish collar(1). Upper part of the body is light brownwith a series of small black dots on top. Black spots alongits back. Side of the body dark brown and appears like along stripe (2). Belly is yellowish. They are seen amongleaf litter, under bricks or cement slabs. Feeds on skinksand blind snakes.
Distributed in Northern India.
CANTOR'S BLACK-HEADED SNAKE
AverageLength22 cm
MaximumLength30 cm
U ScheduleIV
1
2
13
(Sibynophis A spare shaped head)=
COLUBRIDAE
Xenochrophis piscator
Medium sized active snake. Body cylindrical olive brownin colour with black spots arranged like checkered pattern(1). Juveniles are more distinctly patterned. Primarilyaquatic. Occur close to water bodies and often venturenearbuildings. Feeds on frogs and fishes.
Distributed throughout India.
CHECKERED KEELBACK
AverageLength60 cm
MaximumLength
175 cmC Schedule
II
Checkered keelback canraise their upper part ofbody almost like a cobra butthey are non venomous!
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NATRICIDAE
Indotyphlops brahminus
A tiny worm like snake. Body uniform shiny black orreddish brown (1). Underside is lighter. Eyes appear like asmall black dot. All body scales are of similar size. Feedson termites, ants and their eggs. Primarily fossorial. Oftenseen among crevices, loose soil or under bricks, dampleaf litter or cement slab. They are parthenogenetic(female produce eggs without mating and no male is so farknown.
Distributed throughout India.
BRAHMINY WORM SNAKE
AverageLength12 cm
MaximumLength23 cm
C ScheduleIV
1
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TYPHLOPIDAE
From June to September, you may encounter snakes quite often in ourcampus. If you do encounter a snake, the best advice is to stand still andretreat slowly. But, you can also take a pictureand record details froma safe distance.
Snakes never chase people.
Don't walk around barefoot or wearing only sandals at late evening or atnightDo not sleep or sit outside at night on the ground. Be watchful while walking;always carry torch or flashlight at nightDo not lift logs, rocks or anything with your bare hand / as asnake could be hiding under.Do not handle a freshly killed or injured snakeDon't attempt to capture snakes unless you are skilled.Do not create snake refuge by stacking bricks, tiles, stones or wood nearyour house.Don't get within a snake's striking distance while trying to identify it.Do not throw waste food near room/ house at it attracts rats and in turnsnake.
turn over rocks
Avoiding Snake-Bite
Common Trinket Snake
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All snakebites should be treated with care. In case of venomous snake bite, timely administration of anti venom under medical care is the onlytreatment.If not treated, cobra and krait bites are likely to produce neurotoxic symptoms such as drowsiness, drooping eye lids, slurred speech, stomach pain,vomiting, respiratory distress etc.
Hospitals that are capable of treating snakebite are just few minutes drive from our campus. So there will be enough time to go to hospital.
Be calm; let people know about the emergency.
Remember that no snake can kill adult human being instantaneously.
Remember – Just "Do it R.I.G.H.T."The letters in the mnemonic stands forR. = Reassure the victim.I = Immobilize the whole of the victims' body by laying him/her down in a
comfortable and safe position. Create a loose splint to help restrictmovement of the affected area.
G.H. = Get to Hospital immediately.T = Tell the doctor of any systemic symptoms that manifest on the way to
hospital
Do not apply a tourniquetDo not apply ice, cut around the bite or try to suck out the poisonDo not give the patient anything to drink or any over-the-counter medication
In Case of Snakebite
First-Aid For Snake Bite Victims
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(It is always advisable to enquire in advance regarding availability of anti snakevenom at these hospitals before you shift the victim)
Doon Hospital - (0135) 2653523Minocha Hospital - (0135)2641700Jan Kalyan Hospital - (0135) 2742203CMI Hospital - (0135)2720411Astha Hospital - (0135) 2764413
Contact Number of Few Hospitals Snake Bite Treatment Kit
Snake venom Antiserum I.P., Antihistaminic (Inj. Avil),Corticosteriod (Inj. Hydrocortisone), Distilled Water,Crepe Bandage, Syringe and Gloves
Kits are available at Director, Wildlife Institute ofIndia’s Office and Main Gate of the Institute
An AppealOn rainy days, snakes, frogs, crabs cross our roads to meet their relatives. Please driveslowly and watchfully. Do not crush them!Do not keep cats as pets as they kill our campus snakes and other reptiles.
An Uncanny Visitor!Do not panic and run around. Do not disturb the snake or try catching it. Keep an eye on the snake movement and just dial straight awayDr. Abhijit Das Mob: +919435149576, 0135-2646205(O), 0135-2646212 (R), Dr. Sanath Krishna M.K. +919917649020, 0135-2646456 (O).
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No snakes drink milk deliberately, nor do any carry a jewel. Snake neverchase people nor can they take revenge. Snakes do not dance in tuneto music and none has a head on their tail. No snake can fly but a fewcan glide. Rat snakes cannot mate with a cobra. More than 87% ofIndian snakes are harmless to human beings.
Reality in Myths
Whitaker, R. And Captain, A. 2004. Snakes of India : The Field Guide. DracoBooks. 481 pp
Vasudevan, K. and Sondhi, S. 2010. Amphibians and Reptiles of Uttarakhand,India. Wildlife Institute of India. 94 pp.
Suggested Reading
Common Cat Snake19
Record Sheet
Species .................................................................................................................. Date.......................................... Time............................
Photo ID............................... Appoximate length ................................... Place ..........................................................................................
Habitat: Leaf litter, habitation, waterbody, termite mound, grass, road, rocky area , on tree, under wall
Species .................................................................................................................. Date.......................................... Time............................
Photo ID............................... Appoximate length ................................... Place ..........................................................................................
Habitat: Leaf litter, habitation, waterbody, termite mound, grass, road, rocky area , on tree, under wall
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P O Box 18, ChandrabaniDehradun - 248002Uttarakhandt. +91 135 2640111 - 115f. +91 135 2640117e. [email protected]. http://www.wii.gov.in