Context:
Recently, researchers have discovered a new species of a shield-tail snake in the Meghamalai-Munnar landscape of the Western Ghats.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Newly Discovered Shield-tail Snake: Uropeltis caudomaculata
- Naming and Identification
- Recently identified as Uropeltis caudomaculata, this shield-tail snake is named for the distinctive yellow spot located on each side of the base of its tail.
- It is characterized by an increased number of ventral scales and is uniquely distributed along the eastern escarpment of the Western Ghats, stretching from Meghamalai to approximately 15 km east of Munnar.
- Distribution
- Found exclusively in three specific locations: Meghamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, Periyar Tiger Reserve, and Yellapetty near Munnar in Kerala.
Key Characteristics of Shield-tail Snakes
- Venom
- These snakes are non-venomous, posing no threat to humans or other animals they encounter.
- Taxonomy
- Belonging to the Uropeltidae family, shield-tail snakes are primitive reptiles endemic to peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
- Physical Features
- They are distinguished by a prominent keratinous shield at the tail’s tip, a characteristic that gives them their name “shield-tailed snakes.”
- Natural Range
- Typically found in the Western Ghats and various parts of peninsular India.
- Habitat
- They inhabit hilly forests and are known to occupy tunnels within leaf litter, humus, rocks, and logs.
- These burrowing species can be found up to one foot below the soil surface.
-Source: The Hindu
