Sangamesh Prabhakar:
The Northern Western Ghats Vine Snake (Ahaetulla borealis species) is a distinct species, endemic to Western Ghats and is found only in the northern part of the Sahyadri ranges. The above green vine snake was found amidst thick undergrowth and photographed on December 18that 11 am in the forests of Yellapur, Uttar Kannada district, Karnataka.
Ahaetulla borealis is distributed from Sirsi, Karnataka (which is near Yellapur) and is found till the north to Matheran, Maharashtra.
HUNTING FOR ITS FAVOURITE MEAL
Even as we were traversing the moist-deciduous forests of Yellapur on a cool morning, the green vine snake was spotted slithering across suddenly. We observed the snake gorging on a frog slowly. Having a binocular vision, it is very easy for them to hunt its favourite prey – frogs as also lizards and birds.
In this instance, the Northern Western Ghats Vine Snake had captured a frog which is one of its preferred preys. Using a swift strike and strong jaws, it can hunt very fast. They are known to rely mainly on their vision to detect movement and typically hunt during the day. By preying on frogs, these green vine snakes help in regulating the population of amphibians and also maintain the ecological balance.
CES, IISc STUDIES ON VINE SNAKES IN WESTERN GHATS
In fact, in India, the vine snake population is a complex of different species. Recent research has reclassified the vine snakes in the Western Ghats as several distinct species. Based on extensive sampling across peninsular India, a team of researchers from the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have now described several new species of vine snakes from the region.
Led by former student Ashok Mallik as part of his doctoral research, the team carried out field visits across India to collect morphological data, tissue samples and specimens to understand the patterns of distribution and diversification of vine snakes.
There are now six species of Vine Snakes endemic to the Western Ghats. The title of the published research paper is: “Disentangling vines: Study of morphological crypsis and genetic divergence in vine snakes.”
The research study, published in the journal Zootaxa was carried out in collaboration with researchers SR Ganesh from the Chennai Snake Park, Saunak Pal from the Bombay Natural History Society, and Princia D’souza from IISc.
ABUNDANT IN FOREST HABITATS
On the IUCN Red List, the green vine snake is listed as of Least Concern. The common green vine snakes found in areas like Yellapur are generally widespread and are abundant within their forest habitats. They are protected in India under Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
A very sleek and beautiful reptile, the Northern Western Ghats Vine Snake is a slender, arboreal species. It is a mild venomous snake; therefore, any bite is considered not so dangerous to humans. However, its sting and the resulting swelling will hurt for a few days.
MASTER CAMOUFLAGER SPECIES
One of the best camouflaged snake species, it is difficult to spot them as their brilliant green colour helps them in hiding among the dense green foliage. However, when they are disturbed, they expand their body and then one can spot the distinct markings on their body.
The Northern Western Ghats Vine Snake displays a striking pattern of black and white markings on the skin between its green scales only when it perceives a threat or is disturbed by human presence.
(SANGAMESH PRABHAKAR IS ASSISTANT CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (ACF), KARNATAKA FOREST DEPARTMENT)