Herpetofauna
Nagaland Biodiversity Herpetofauna Report The herpetofauna of Nagaland is unique as it is situated at a very important bio-geographic location. The Indo-Malayan region, along with Himalayan and SinoHimalayan elements, influence the herpetofauna of Nagaland. Similar to other northeastern states of India, Nagaland is also poorly surveyed for herpetofauna. Surveys conducted in north-east India in the last ten years have resulted in new records for the country as well as for the individual states. For example Medo Pit Viper Viridovipera cf medoensis (David et al., 2001), Boulenger’s Water Snake Sinonatrix percarinata (Captain, 1998), Kaulback’s Lance-headed Pit Viper Protobothrops kaulbacki (Bhide et al., 2008) turned out to be a new species for the country. Species like Protobothrops jerdonii xathomelas (Zambre et al., 2009) turned out to be a new subspecies for the country and Dinodon gammeie (Mistry et al., 2007) was rediscovered after almost a century. Sites surveyed during the Nagaland Biodiversity Project include Khonoma, Dzulekie, Benreu, Fakim, Intanki, Singphan, Pungro, Saramati and Shatuza.
Field Methods We covered areas across vast elevations ranging from 200-3800 meters. However, we encountered reptiles and amphibians mainly between 200-2500 meters in elevation. We used visual encounter survey method to find reptiles and amphibians. We searched extensively in likely micro-habitats such as along/under logs, bark, leaf litter, small trails, streams, along the roads and culverts during night as well as daytime. Each survey team consisted of two-three field biologists along with one-two local assistants. We also recorded the GPS locations of all the species found during the survey.
Reptile Identification None of the reptiles were collected during the survey. However, we caught them to photograph and note taxonomical details that aid in identification. All the reptiles were released in the same location from where they were captured. Every reptile was identified after examining the scalation in detail. In addition to this, morphometric measurements were taken to help in identification. We did not record identification characters like dentition and other internal characters for any of the animals. In case of some common species (like Agamids) only the first two to five individuals were identified with the help of above mentioned field methods. Subsequently individuals were identified visually without catching them.
Amphibian identification Most of the identification of amphibians are tentative in this report. This is due to 50
Herpetofauna
inability to collect specimen, which seems to be the assured way to identify them to the species level. However two to five individuals were photographed with taxonomic details for tentative identification. As we enrich our identification knowledge, we will keep updating this report.
Highlights This survey resulted in quite a few rare species (=data deficient) and rediscoveries after several decades. During the survey period of two months, the team recorded 30 species of snakes, one turtle and nine species of the order Sauria that include lizards, geckos, skinks, etc. A significant discovery turned out to be the “ Bella” Rat Snake or Burmese Rat Snake Maculophis bella bella that was a new species for the country. Darjeeling Snail-eater Pareas macularis, Darjeeling Oriental Slender Snake Trachischium fuscum, Medo Pit Viper Viridovipera cf medoensis and Venning’s Keelback Amphiesma venningi venningi constitute the first record from Nagaland whereas Mandarin Trinket Snake Euprepiophis mandarinus is just the second record for the state.
Threats and conservation challenges for herpetofauna of Nagaland Amphibians and reptiles in Nagaland (like the rest of the north-east India) face somewhat similar yet different conservation challenges when compared with rest of India. Amphibians as well as reptiles being ectothermic in nature are highly sensitive to the surrounding environment and their micro-habitat requirements. A slight change in both can effectively cause a local extinction of the species. Logging and deforestation are one of the main reasons in this state concerning herpetofauna. Apart from these indirect threats, there is another direct conservation challenge faced by reptiles and amphibians in the region. All snakes, venomous or non-venomous, are killed mainly due to fear or retaliation across the state. We witnessed people from all age groups killing snakes at first sight (small kids who killed a Jerdon’s Pit Viper to an elderly woman who killed an eight feet long non-venomous Green Rat Snake). Lack of awareness is one of the main reasons behind such killings. Most snakes found in the region are non-venomous and can cause no harms to humans. However, people in the region believe all snakes are venomous in nature and cause death. Though most people in Nagaland fear snakes and kill them, we met a few people who also consumed snake meat. Also, only a single encounter of the freshwater Indian Leaf Turtle Cycemys gemeli during the entire survey could indicate the over exploitation of all the fresh water turtle and tortoise species in the state. Frogs on the other hand are collected in large quantities for the pot. A sack full of frogs is a very common sight in the Kohima market. We also witnessed tree frogs smoked over a fireplace in a Mithun shed for later consumption. Herpetofauna, mainly amphibians, play a vital role of bio-indictors. Change in their assemblage or abundance indicate the health of an ecosystem. It is therefore essential to conserve these species and maintain their population in the wild. 51
Herpetofauna
Reptiles Family - Colubridae
Species – Pareas macularis Common name – Darjeeling Snail-eater Location – Khonoma, Dist. Kohima, 25°38’59.34”N, 94° 1’23.32”E Description – Snail-eaters are non-venomous snakes. They feed on slugs and snails and hence the name. The Darjeeling Snail-eater is known to inhabit hilly evergreen forests. This individual was found along a road cutting in the Khonoma village. Distribution – West Bengal, Sikkim and parts of north-east India
Species – Pareas monticola Common name – Assam Snail-eater Location – Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary, Dist. Mon, N 26.92739, E 094.90324 Description – This non-venomous snake was found at night on the road running through the Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary. This road sees a lot of traffic till as late as ten pm due to the presence of a coal mine on the other side of the sanctuary. Distribution – Eastern Himalayas in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Assam, Nagaland and Khasi Hills 52
Herpetofauna
Species – Elaphe porphyracea porphyracea* Common name – Banded Trinket Snake Location – Enroue Kohima to Mokokchung, closer to Mokokchung, N 26.36595, E 094.55049 Description – This individual was spotted on the road and seemed like it was run over by a speeding vehicle. This beautiful non-venomous snake occurs in pink colour or reddish brown like the specimen that was found. It is active during early morning and evening and is found in tropical mountainous forests. Distribution – Sikkim, West Bengal, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
Species – Euprepiophis mandarinus* Common name – Mandarin Trinket Snake Location – Dzulekie Description – The Mandarin Trinket Snake is a beautifully patterned non-venomous snake known to be crepuscular in behavior. A villager found this snake while digging soil in his field and the snake accidentally died during the excavation process. N 25.61800, E 093.95329 Distribution – The only previous record of this snake exists from eastern Arunachal Pradesh in the Changlang district. This is a new record for this species from Nagaland. 53
Herpetofauna
Species - Coelognathus radiatus Common name – Copper-headed Trinket Snake Location – Near Kiphere village Description – Copper-headed Trinket Snake is known to be diurnal in behavior. It was spotted along the road during the day enroute from Pungro towards Kohima. Distribution – Along the Himalayas from Uttaranchal to Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Orissa, West Bengal and Sikkim
Species – Maculophis bella bella (BURBRINK 2007) Common name – “Bella” Rat Snake or Burmese Rat Snake Location – Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary 25°49’8.45”N, 94°58’53.48”E Description – This beautiful (Bella=beautiful in Italian) snake was found close to the Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary and is a first record of the species from India. There are two known sub-species of this snake of which M. bella bella is previously known by only six specimens. Formerly referred to as Elaphe leonardi, Bella’s Rat Snake has undergone revisions of its genus and species as many as nine times. This small snake (2½-3 feet, 80-90 cm) appears to be a montane species as it found on higher elevations like 15002000m. Distribution – Known previously from northern Myanmar and western Yunnan province, China. Conservation Status and Threats: Data deficient. 54
Herpetofauna Species – Ptyas nigromarginata Common name – Green Rat Snake Location – Dzulekie, N 25.63549, E 094.01261, N 25.61800, E 093.95329 Description – Spotted often by the team during surveys and walks around the village, this snake is extremely swift which gives few opportunities to observe and admire its beauty. Frank Wall in 1907 described the beauty of this snake; he wrote “It is difficult to realize form the museum specimens the extreme beauty and brilliancy of colouring of many snakes in life, and this forcibly applies in the present instance. Our specimen was a bright green of so soft a hue that the skin looked like velvet. This merged into a yellowish green anteriorly and yellow posteriorly, the latter merging into a rich black on the tail. The black margins to the scales served to enhance the beauty of the dorsal green. However, the beauty of this snake fails to captivate some villagers who kill this non-venomous snake in fear and retaliation as observed on one instance in Dzulekie village. Distribution – In north-east from Sikkim and Darjeeling to Arunachal Pradesh
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Herpetofauna Species – Oligodon dorsalis Common name – Spot-tailed Kukri Location – Dzulekie, N 25.61800, E 093.95329 Description – This individual was seen coming out of a crack under a culvert. It has an elaborate underbody colouration with a checkered black and white pattern on its ventral (belly) scales and bright red on its caudal (underside of the tail) scales. When alarmed, this non-venomous snake displays an interesting behavior where it coils its tail to expose the bright red underside, a behavior observed in the venomous coral snakes and their mimics. Distribution – Assam, Nagaland, Garo Hills, Khasi Hills and West Bengal
Species – Oligodon cinereus* Common name – Black-barred Kukri Location – Near Mokokchung Description – A roadkill of this snake was found while driving to Mokokchung. Distribution – Chittagong Hills of Bangladesh, Assam, 56
Herpetofauna
Species – Oligodon albocinctus Common name – White-barred Kukri Location – Enroute from Kohima to Pungro Description – This snake was found late afternoon crossing the road. It vigorously tried to escape when encountered. It is a non-venomous snake found in hilly regions Distribution – Most parts of the north-east, Sikkim and West Bengal
Species – Dendrelaphis sp.* Common name – Bronzeback Tree Snake sp. Location – Mokokchung, N 26.23570, E 094.41755 Description – This snake was found completely crushed on the road and hence it was not possible to identify it to the species level. Distribution – NA
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Herpetofauna
Species – Rhabdophis subminiatus Common name – Red-necked Keelback Location – Khonoma, Shatuza, N25.63981, E 094.01744 and N 25.68251, E 094.76078 Description – Red-necked Keelbacks are diurnal and found in wet tropical forests. Though it does not have true fangs, it has enlarged rear teeth and highly toxic saliva due to which bites from this snake have caused severe symptoms. Distribution – From Sikkim and Assam to Arunachal Pradesh of the Eastern Himalayas
Species – Amphiesma parallelum Common name – Boulenger’s Striped Keelback Location – Khonoma, N 25.63549, E 094.01261 Description – This snake was found near the Tragopan Sanctuary, Khonoma. Distribution – Sikkim, Assam
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Herpetofauna Species – Rhabdophis himalayanus Common name – Himalayan Keelback Location – Singphan, Dzulekie N 26.92739, E 094.90324 and N 25.61800, E 093.95329 Description – Was found crossing the road within Singphan WLS. In Dzulekie, a villager found it in his field and brought it to us in a bag since he knew we were studying snakes. Distribution – Eastern Himalayas in the west up to Sikkim and Assam.
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Herpetofauna Species – Amphiesma venningi venningi Common name – Venning’s Keelback Location – Dzulekie, N 25.618233, E 093.956617 Description – This keelback was found near stream and on being captured, it regurgitated a tadpole. They are known to inhabit hill streams close to disturbed evergreen montane forest. Distribution – Previous records exist from Patkai hills in Arunachal Pradesh and Jayantia hills in Meghalaya. This record from Dzulekie could be the first one from Nagaland.
Species – Amphiesma khasiense Common name – Khasi Hills Keelback Location – Shatuza, N 25.69883 E 094.75813 Description – This snake is known to feed on frogs and tadpoles. This individual was found in the evening in a paddyfield containing a lot of tadpoles and hence it was probably forging. The species has peculiar white colouration on its lip scales that continues along the side of its neck. Distribution – From Khasi and Garo Hills in Meghalaya to Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh. 60
Herpetofauna Species – Rhabdophis nuchalis Common name – Groove-necked Keelback Location – Dzulekie, N 25.623397, E 093.960303 Description – R. nuchalis is so called because of the presence of a nuchal gland or a nuchal groove on its neck. It is known to inhabit hilly areas and was the most commonly encountered snake in Dzulekie. It is a non-venomouns snake seen in two colours, dark grey and reddish brown
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Herpetofauna
Species – Trachischium fuscum Common name – Darjeeling Oriental Slender Snake Location – Dzulekie Description – From Western Himalayas up to Darjeeling and Assam Distribution – This snake was found in the pitfall trap that was set up in Dzulekie
Species - Boiga ochracea Common name – Tawny Cat Snake Locality – Enroute from Pungro to Kohima, closer to Kiphere Description – This is a nocturnal and mostly arboreal snake seen on bushes and shrubs. This individual was found as a road kill, probably run over by a vehicle. It is known to have a mild venom only effective against its prey like lizards, birds and their eggs and small mammals but harmless to humans. Distribution - West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and throughout most parts of the north-east
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Herpetofauna Species – Bungarus sp.* Common name – Krait sp. 02 Location – Enroute Pungro to Shatuza Description – This snake was found dead and badly damaged. Hence it is difficult to ascertain the species and identification is pending. Distribution – NA
Species – Naja kaouthia* Common name – Monocled Cobra Location – 25 kms from Kohima towards Pungro Description – Monocled Cobra is a venomous snake found in wetter regions in contrast to the spectacled cobra found in drier regions. It has a single eye tshaped mark on its hood. Distribution – All over north-east along with some part of mainland India.
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Herpetofauna Species – Naja species Common name – Cobra species Location – Enroute Pungro to Shatuza Description – This snake was found dead and badly damaged. Hence it is difficult to ascertain the species and identification is pending most likely Naja kaouthia. Distribution – All over north-east along with some part of mainland India.
Species – Ophiophagus hannah Common name – King Cobra Location – Intanki Description – King Cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world, both feared and worshipped by people across the country. They feed on other snakes and sometimes monitor lizards. They show great parental care where the female builds a nest and stays with the eggs till they hatch. It was seen in the Intanki wildlife sanctuary. Distribution – Along the western ghats in Karnataka, Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Terai region in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal and north-east and the Andaman Islands. 64
Herpetofauna
Family - Viperidae
Species – Ovophis monticola Common name – Mountain Pit Viper Location – Khonoma, Fakim, N 25.62117, E 093.99947 Description – Mountain Pit Viper is a short stout snake with a triangular head and presence of heat sensory pits between its eye and nostril like all pit vipers. The eye in this snake is camouflaged due to the colouration of the side of its head. Its mainly nocturnal but was encountered during the day in two out of three sightings. Distribution – Uttaranchal, Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
Species – Trimeresurus albolabris Common name – White-lipped Pit Viper Location – Singphan Description – This snake was encountered crossing the road at night in the Singphan WLS. Lip scale edges bordering the mouth are narrowly lined by white. Males have a narrow white stripe on the lower side of the body that may be present, absent or indistinct in females. Males also sometimes have a white line below the eye along the side of the head. These colour patterns are varied and hence cannot be relied upon for identification of the species. Distribution – West Bengal, Assam 65
Herpetofauna Species – Protobothrops jerdonii Common name – Jerdon’s Pit Viper Location – Dzulekie, N 25.62580, E 093.97157 Description – This snake was spotted while returning back from a walk when five village kids were seen pelting stones at something on the road. After approaching we realized that it was a Jerdon’s pit viper with a smashed head. It is the most feared snake in the region and also known to have been responsible for most bites in the village. Distribution – From Meghalaya to Arunachal Pradesh in the north-east
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Herpetofauna
Species – Trimeresurus sp. Common name – Unidentified Green Pit Viper sp. 02 Location – Enroute from Shatuza to Kohima Description – Identification of these snakes depends upon the scale count. Due to unavailability of time we unable to do the scale count for this snake. Distribution – NA
Species – Trimeresurus sp. Common name – Unidentified Green Pit Viper sp. 03 Location – Enroute from Shatuza to Kohima Description – Identification of these snakes depends upon the scale count. Due to unavailability of time we unable to do the scale count for this snake. Distribution – NA
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Herpetofauna Species – Viridovipera cf medoensis Common name – Medo Pit Viper? Location – Mokokchung Description – This snake known to inhabit wet montane forest is a recently described species (1997). It was spotted during an earlier visit to Nagaland. It could possibly be a Medo Pit Viper Viridovipera cf medoensis, which if true will be the first record of this species for Nagaland and second from India. However, the species identification of this snake still needs to be ascertained. Distribution – Known only from one previous report from a single location near Gandhigram village in the Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh.
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Herpetofauna
Family – Geoemydidae
Species - Cyclemys gemeli Common name - Indian Leaf Turtle Location – Distribution – Assam and Arunachal Pradesh Description – This turtle was photographed in Intanki National Park. Also, a carapace was found in a house in Khonoma.
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Herpetofauna
Family – Agamidae
Species - Calotes jerdoni Common name - Jerdon’s Forest Lizard Location – Dzulekie, Benreu N 25.61538, E 093.94463 Description – This is a fairly commonly seen green or brown coloured lizard. They often encountered on the road mostly squashed and with 12 eggs on four occasions. Distribution – Throughout the montane north-east India, North Bengal and Sikkim
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Herpetofauna
Species - Ptyctolaemus gularis Common name - Blue-throated Forest Lizard Location – Khonoma, 25°38’59.34”N, 94° 1’23.32”E Description - It has a blue coloured gular pouch that is folded in a u-shaped pattern. We found just one individual of this species. According to existing literature the distribution of this species remains below the Brahamaputra river (Smith 1935), however, it has been previously recorded from Pakke Tiger Reserve and one more individual from the lower elevations of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary by independent teams. Distribution – South of the Brahamaputra River throughout north-east. According to Wall this species used to be extremely common around Shillong (Smith 1935).
Species - Calotes mystaceus Common name – Moustached Forest Lizard Location - Pungro town, and along the road from Pungro to Shatuza, 25°48’47.68”N, 94°50’42.63”E Description – Fairly commonly seen in the region around Pungro. Similar to the Garden Lizard C. versicolor, this lizard was seen on bushes in gardens in Pungro town and on trees along the road as well. The fore body of this lizard is blue in colour with a broad light coloured strip running from its snout beyond its shoulder. Distribution – Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar islands.
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Herpetofauna
Family - Gekkonidae
Species - Cyrtodactylus khasiensis Common name – Khasi Hills Bent-toed Gecko Location - We found the gecko quite regularly around Pungro Town, 25°38’59.34”N, 94° 1’23.32”E and 25°48’47.68”N, 94°50’42.63”E Description - This gecko has long, bent and sharply clawed digits with the absence of lamellae. It has a distinct tail with dark brown or black and white bands. Distribution – Throughout north-east India, West Bengal and Sikkim.
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Herpetofauna
Family – Scincidae
Species – Unidentified sp. Common name – Common Skink species Location – Shatuza, N 25.699689 E 094.757978 Description – NA Distribution – NA
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Amphibians
Family - Bufonidae
Species – Duttaphrynus sp. Common name – Toad species Location – Benreu, Pungro
Species – Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common name – Common Asian Toad Location – Khonoma
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Amphibians
Family - Hylidae
Species – Hyla cf. annectans Common name – Indian Hylid Frog Location – Khonoma, Dzulekie
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Amphibians
Family - Megophryidae
Species – Xenophrys sp. 01 Common name – Horned Frog species Location – Khonoma
Species – Xenophrys sp. 02 Common name – Horned Frog species Location – Khonoma
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Amphibians Species – Xenophrys sp. 03 Common name – Horned Frog species Location – Khonoma, Pungro
Species – Xenophrys sp. 04 Common name – Horned Frog species Location – Dzulekie
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Amphibians
Family - Dicroglossidae Species – Euplyctis cyanophlyctis Common name – Indian Skipping Frog Location – Shatuza, Pungro
Species – Fejervarya sp. 01 Common name – Cricket Frog species Location – Singphan
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Amphibians Species – Fejervarya sp. 02 Common name – Cricket Frog species Location – Singphan
Species – Fejervarya sp. 03 Common name – Cricket Frog species Location – Singphan
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Amphibians
Family - Ranidae
Species – Amolops species Common name – Cascade Frog Location – Vunsuvong
Species – Sylvirana cf. leptoglossa Common name – Assam Forest Frog Location – Singphan
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Amphibians Species – Humerana sp. Common name – ?????? Location – Singphan
Species – Odorrana mawphlangensis Common name – Mawphlang Odorous Frog Location – Dzulekie
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Amphibians Species – Odorrana species Common name – Odorous Frog species Location – Vunsuvong
Species – Paa sp. Common name – Paa species Location – Vunsuvong
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Amphibians
Family - Rhacophoridae
Species – Philautus sp. 01 Common name – Bush Frog species Location – Khonoma, Shatuza, Pungro
Species – Philautus sp. 02 Common name – Bush Frog species Location – Khonoma
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Amphibians Species – Philautus sp. 03 Common name – Bush Frog species Location – Benreu
Species – Philautus sp. 04 Common name – Bush Frog species Location – Dzulekie
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Amphibians Species – Philautus sp. 05 Common name – Bush Frog species Location – Benreu
Species – Philautus sp. 06 Common name – Bush Frog species Location – Dzulekie
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Amphibians Species – Rhacophorus taroensis Common name – Taron Tree Frog Location – Khonoma, Dzulekie, Shatuza
Species – Rhacophorus bipunctatus Common name – Twin-spotted Tree Frog
Location – Singphan, Benreu
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Amphibians Species – Rhacophorus cf. tuberculatus Common name – Tree Frog species Location – Khonoma, Pungro
Species – Rhacophorus maximus Common name – Large Tree Frog Location – Pungro
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Amphibians
Species – Polypedates sp. 01 Common name – Tree Frog species Location – Khonoma
Species – Polypedates sp. 02 Common name – Tree Frog species Location – Dzulekie, Benreu
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Amphibians Species – Polypedates sp. 03 Common name – Tree Frog species Location – Benreu
Species – Polypedates sp. 04 Common name – Tree Frog species Location – Dzulekie
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Amphibians
Family - unidentified
Species – Needs to be confirmed Common name – Quacks ?? Location – Khonoma
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Amphibians
Family - Ichthyophiidae
Species – Ichthyophis sp. Common name – Caecilian Location – Khonoma
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