New locality records for the Indian Egg-eating Snake (Elachistodon westermanni) and the Stout Sandsnake (Psammophis longifrons) in Karnataka, India

Kalki, Yatin; Gowda, Sachin

doi:10.17161/randa.v28i1.15317

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…We have documented Dryocalamus gracilis and Lycodon deccanensis in the rocky hills of the neighboring Tumkur District (Kalki et al, 2020), so these two species potentially occur in similar habitat 80 km away within the Bannerghatta National Park and Ragihalli State Forest in the Bengaluru Urban District. We have also documented Psammophis longifrons and Elachistodon westermanniin the tropical thorn forests of Tumkur District (Kalki and Gowda, 2021). There is a possibility of these species occurring in the patch of tropical thorn forest habitat in the western part of Bengaluru Urban District.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

Annotated checklist of the snakes of Bengaluru Urban District, Karnataka, India with notes on their natural history, distribution, and population trends over the last 150 years

Kalki

Gonsalves²,

Wylie

et al. 2021

JAD

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Systematic and thorough studies of snake populations across large areas are rare in the tropics. Bengaluru city in southern India has not had a thorough checklist of snakes in over a century, during which time land-use changes, taxonomic revisions, and fluctuating reptile populations have left the current status of snakes of this region unclear. We combine data from snake rescues, visual encounter surveys, and other reliable records to generate a contemporary checklist of 33 snake species (15 of which are novel) present within the Bengaluru Urban District with comments on their apparent habitat preferences. We also provide evidence and insight on six additional species that have not been recorded but potentially occur within the limits of the district. Compared with the earlier checklist, all but 4 species (Naja naja, Ptyas mucosa, Daboia russelii, and Fowlea piscator) have shown considerable decline within city limits. Additionally, all of India's "Big Four" medically significant venomous snake species (Naja naja, Bungarus caeruleus, Daboia russelii, and Echis carinatus) are found within the district. Naja naja and Daboia russelii appear to be well-adjusted to urbanization with serious ramifications for human-wildlife conflict and healthcare in the future as the majority of Indian snakebite deaths can be attributed to these two species. The population trajectory of Daboia russelii is of particular interest as it was classified as "not common" in the previous checklist, but it is presently one of the most abundant snake species in the area. Our study provides a new baseline that can be used to monitor ophidian population trends going forward.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

Annotated checklist of the snakes of Bengaluru Urban District, Karnataka, India with notes on their natural history, distribution, and population trends over the last 150 years

Kalki

Gonsalves²,

Wylie

et al. 2021

JAD

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“…The Elachistodon westermanni (Indian Egg-Eating Snake) was only known from a few specimens and was not seen since the early 1900s until its rediscovery in Maharashtra (Captain et al, 2005), and subsequent reports its presence in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, etc. (Kalki & Gowda, 2021).…”

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confidence: 99%

Snake Rescue Manual: Guidelines on Snake Rescue, Snakebite Management, and Community Education for Snake Conservation

Mukherjee¹

2023

JOSHA

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Human-Snake conflict (HSC) is a complex and pervasive problem that occurs wherever snakes and people share the same habitat. Lack of information, ignorance by the masses and absence of snakebite prevention measures results in around 2100 annual deaths in Gujarat while the national mortality figure is as high as 58,000. While the need to improve the quality of anti-venom serum and post bite clinical management is high priority, prevention of bites can play a vital role in bringing down the mortality rates. Snakes and people often need to be rescued from certain situations especially when the former comes near people's houses and backyards, especially in rural areas. Since snake capture is a specialised activity and is often potentially dangerous in case of venomous snakes, it requires systematic training and experience. Proper knowledge to administer the right first aid can very well save a limb and even a life. Individuals who are interested in this issue need to be well trained in all relevant aspects. This manual is intended for experienced snake handlers, not for beginners. josha.org

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Ophidian Diversity in Tumkur District, Karnataka, India

Parimala¹

2021

Int J Pharma Bio Sci

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Snakes are the most diverse successful group of animals belonging to the Class Reptilia, which are completely dependent upon the natural environment for their sustenance. They are highly significant as they are an important part of food chain and food webs of almost all the ecosystems, due to which their presence and absence depicts the status of their ecosystem. These crawlers are predators on rodents and insects which are harmful in agricultural fields, due to which they are considered to be the farmer’s friend. Also, snakes play a vital role in controlling the population of harmful rodents which functions as vectors of deadly diseases. Such beneficial species are at the verge of threat which may even lead towards their local extinction. The major threats to these limbless reptiles are as far identified as, the habitat loss, accidents such as road kills and also being slayed when sighted in residential areas. This is mainly due to the lack of adequate knowledge about their status and their significance. Hence the conservation of the herpetofauna at the region is very much needed. Therefore, this study is carried out by obtaining the data from interaction with the local farmers ’and volunteers from snake rescue teams. The study resulted in 29 snake species belonging to 9 different families. Out of which 21 non-venomous, 03 semi-venomous and 05 venomous species were recorded. This study provides the primary information about the Ophidian diversity to educate and bring in awareness among the people and further leading to put up strategies for their natural conservation. Whether these species is medically significant to humans needs further study.

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New locality records for the Indian Egg-eating Snake (Elachistodon westermanni) and the Stout Sandsnake (Psammophis longifrons) in Karnataka, India

Cited by 3 publications

References 2 publications

Annotated checklist of the snakes of Bengaluru Urban District, Karnataka, India with notes on their natural history, distribution, and population trends over the last 150 years

Annotated checklist of the snakes of Bengaluru Urban District, Karnataka, India with notes on their natural history, distribution, and population trends over the last 150 years

Snake Rescue Manual: Guidelines on Snake Rescue, Snakebite Management, and Community Education for Snake Conservation

Ophidian Diversity in Tumkur District, Karnataka, India

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