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)=

4

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)=

5

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

6

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

7

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

10

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

11

(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

12

(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!

1

14

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

16

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. wii@wii.gov.inw. http://www.wii.gov.in