KNOWING

CAMPUS
© 2015, Wildlife Institute of India The Team
Published by Abhijit Das
Wildlife Institute of India Sanath Krishna M.K.
P O Box 18, Chandrabani Parag Nigam
Dehradun - 248002
Uttarakhand Contributors
Keshav Gogoi
Concept Preeti Sharma
Parag Nigam Naitik Patel

Design & Layout All Photo Credits unless otherwise stated : Abhijit Das
Xpressions Cover Photo: Indian Cat Snake

E-version
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.
 The Wildlife Institute of India
Campus nestled in the Shivalik
foothills provides home to a
diverse array of ora and fauna.
Snakes both venomous and non
venomous form an integral
though rarely seen part of this
myriad assemblage. This
booklet is a ready reckoner of
field identification of snakes
and management of emergent
situations arising out of snakes.
I congratulate the Institute’s
team for their excellent efforts
and look forward to their future

KNOWING endeavours.

CAMPUS V B MATHUR
DIRECTOR
02/03

Wildlife Institute of India campus is spread across 180 acres of area. Tucked away in the foothills of Shivaliks, the
campus shelters significant native biodiversity. So far 616 species of plants, 310 species of birds, 90 species of
butteries, 33 species of reptiles and amphibians and 17 species of mammals are recorded from the campus.
Seldom seen, snakes are a poorly known component of our native biodiversity. Thick leaf litter, rocky area, human
habitation, water bodies and streams provides ideal habitat for snakes. April to September is usually good time to
encounter a snake in the campus. So far, 22 different species of reptiles (snakes, lizards and turtles) have been
recorded from the campus.
 KNOWING
CAMPUS

12 species of snakes belonging to 3 families are reported from

the campus. This constitutes almost 35% of snakes reported
from Uttarakhand state (34 species) and 4% of total snake
diversity of India (280 species). Only two dangerously
venomous species live in our backyard and it is important to be
able to identify them. Rest all our campus snakes are harmless
for human beings.
04/05

Scope of this Booklet

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 brief description for its identification. Information on
average length and maximum length are provided. Activity period, body pattern, preferred food, status
in campus and legal status are depicted symbolically. Adult snakes growing less than 1 meter are
considered as small snakes , less than 2 meter as medium snakes and more than 2 meter as large
snakes . Listing of species is based on family, in an alphabetical order. This is not intended as a
comprehensive field guide and the readers are advised to refer to other literature for scientific reference.

Interesting  9 species of frogs and 2 species of toads among Importance

facts about amphibians of Snakes
Herpetofauna
 22 species of Reptiles (3 turtles, 7 lizards and 12 snakes)
in our Campus
 None among amphibians and Lizards are poisonous
 All the snakes in our campus are egg layers (oviparous)
 Heaviest reptile is Bengal Monitor and longest is the rat
snake
 Indian flapshell turtle and Bengal Monitors are schedule
I species
 KNOWING
CAMPUS

Snakes have key roles in our ecosystem; Conservation All our snakes are protected by law. Cobra, Rat
they are the only predators that can enter snakes and Checkered keelback are in
a rat hole and predate them. Thus they Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
significantly control rodent population. Whereas, rest of the snakes found in campus
Others feed on frogs, lizards and insects are in Schedule IV.
and also in turn predated by large Hence, please avoid killing or harming any
animals. Thus snakes are intricately snake.
associated with food web around us.
06/07

Body Pattern Preferred Food

Zig Zag Bands Frog

Stripes Rat

Bands Snake

Dots Lizard

Plain Bird

Ant & their eggs

common cat snake

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Status in Campus Legal Status Activity Pattern Color Code

Schedule
C II

Common Night Active Non

Venomous

Schedule
U IV

Uncommon Day Active Mildly

Venomous

R
Rare Night &
Day Active Venomous
08/09

2
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CAMPUS

COMMON KRAIT Venomous

Bungarus caeruleus (Bungarus = Bangaru, means Gold in Telugu)

A medium sized terrestrial snake. Top of body is glossy black (greyish black during moulting) with narrow white
(sometime paired) bands (1). Bands are absent in neck region and more frequent from mid body towards tail.
Middle row of scale is larger than other dorsal scales (2). Kraits prefer rocky areas, crevices, under cement slabs,
leaf litter, termite mound and rat holes. Feeds on other snakes, lizard, frogs and rats. Lays 6-15 eggs. Hatchlings
are 25-35 cm long and can be found during May-July.

Wide spread throughout India except North East.

Average Length 100 cm Maximum Length 175 cm

Schedule
C IV
10/11

2
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CAMPUS

SPECTACLED COBRA Venomous

Naja naja (Naja = Naga, means Snake in Sanskrit)

A large species having round head, without distinct marking on the back of hood (1). Scales are smooth and have
imbricate (overlapping) pattern (2). Raises hood when disturbed. Resides under rocks, logs, brick piles and rat
holes. Feeds on lizards, snakes, frogs and rats.

Wide spread across India upto Assam in the North East.

Average Length 100 cm Maximum Length 220 cm

U Schedule
II
12/13

2
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CAMPUS

BUFF STRIPED KEELBACK Non

Venomous

Amphiesma stolatum (Amphiesma = Dress, suit in Greek)

A small snake having a distinct head and large eyes with round pupil. The upper body has small black bars on an
olive grey background with belly being white in color. It has two distinct whitish stripes (1) along the body which
are very distinct towards tail. Small black lines below the eyes are characteristic (2) to the species. A harmless and
inoffensive snake.

Largely terrestrial and prefer to stay in moist areas. Often seen among short grasses, leaf litter, garden and water
bodies. Active during day. Feeds on frogs and lizards.

It is found throughout plains of India.

Average Length 40 cm Maximum Length 80 cm

C Schedule
IV
14/15

1
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CAMPUS

COMMON CAT SNAKE Mildly

Venomous

Boiga trigonata (La Boiga = Colourful Tropical Sanke)

A slow moving small snake which is active during night. Characterized by laterally flattened body with triangular
head and large eyes with vertical pupil. Body is light brown with whitish irregular and incomplete bands (1). An
arrow head shaped mark on top of head. Feeds on small birds, lizards and mice. Primarily arboreal and mainly
inhabit low bushes, tree bark or crevices. May also seen on the ground. This is the only snake in the campus with a
vertical pupil. It is mildly venomous but not dangerous to cause human fatalities.

Wide spread in India except North East and Andaman & Nicobar Island.

Average Length 65 cm Maximum Length 125 cm

Schedule
R IV
16/17

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CAMPUS

COMMON TRINKET SNAKE Non

Venomous

Coelognathus helena helena (Coelognathus = Snake having ‘wide’ mouth)

A medium sized snake with tan colored body. Forebody has squarish black and white bars (1) that are arranged like
rings. Distinct dark brown stripes along two side of mid body and tail (2). Hind body is uniform on the top.

Actively defensive, makes 2-3 S-Shaped coils if disturbed. They are seen in Termite mounds, rocks piles and
crevices. Voracious rat eaters.

Distributed throughout India.

Average Length 70 cm Maximum Length 168 cm

Schedule
U IV
18/19

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CAMPUS

COMMON WOLF SNAKE Non

Venomous

Lycodon aulicus (Lycodon = Snake having ‘Wolf’ like teeth)

A small species. Head is flattened, uniform brown on top. Eyes are black,.upper body is greyish brown with
yellowish bands, which tend to disappear towards tail (1). Climbs rough surfaces well. Inhabits stone piles, crevice
in walls and hollow trees. Feeds on geckos, small mice and small snakes.

Look alike venomous common krait but can be identified by its brown body and band on the neck (2).

Distributed throughout India.

Average Length 30 cm Maximum Length 80 cm

Schedule
R IV
20/21

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CAMPUS

YELLOW-SPECKLED WOLF SNAKE Non

Venomous

Lycodon jara (Lycodon = Snake having ‘Wolf’ like teeth)

A small snake. Upper part is brownish with yellow dots on all the scales (1). Eyes completely black, underside
uniform white, Feeds on frogs, skinks, small mice. A whitish collar may be present in young animals. Climbs well.
Found in leaf litter, rocky areas and crevices.

Known from northern, eastern and North Eastern India.

Average Length 40 cm Maximum Length 55 cm

Schedule
R IV
22/23

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CAMPUS

COMMON KUKRI SNAKE Non

Venomous

Oligodon arnesis (Oligodon = Snake having few teeth)

A small snake with a cylindrical body. Neck and head with black arrow head shaped mark. Upper part of body is
brown with distinct black bands (1). Mainly terrestrial but climbs rough surfaces well. Found in leaf litter, rocky
crevices, termite mounds, tree holes. Feeds on skinks, mice.

Distributed across most of India except North Eastern parts.

Look alike venomous krait but can be distinguished by observing its black bands

Average Length 35 cm Maximum Length 70 cm

Schedule
U IV
24/25

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INDIAN RAT SNAKE Non

Venomous

Ptyas mucosa (Ptyas = A spitter, a misnomer)

A large fast moving species. Head distinct, eyes large with round pupil. Upper part is blackish brown to olive in
colour. Scales below eye (lip scales) are distinctly black edged. Scales on the tail are also black edged (1). Juveniles
are yellowish in colour. Males engage in combat dance (like wrestling) in the month of April-May. They feed on
frogs, lizards and rats.

Distributed throughout India.

Juveniles Rat Snake

Average Length 200 cm Maximum Length 350 cm

Schedule
C II
26/27

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CAMPUS

CANTOR'S BLACK-HEADED SNAKE Non

Venomous

Sibynophis sagittarius (Sibynophis = A spear shaped head)

A small snake. Head and neck region is black with a yellowish collar(1). Upper part of the body is light brown with a
series of small black dots on top. Black spots along its back. Side of the body dark brown and appears like a long
stripe (2). Belly is yellowish. They are seen among leaf litter, under bricks or cement slabs. Feeds on skinks and blind
snakes.

Distributed in Northern India.

Average Length 22 cm Maximum Length 30 cm

Schedule
U IV
28/29

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CAMPUS

CHECKERED KEELBACK Non

Venomous

Xenochrophis piscator (Xenochrophis = Strangely Coloured Snake)

Medium sized active snake. Body cylindrical olive brown in colour with black spots arranged like checkered pattern
(1). Juveniles are more distinctly patterned. Primarily aquatic. Occur close to water bodies and often venture near
buildings. Feeds on frogs and fishes.

Distributed throughout India.

2 Checkered keelback can raise their

upper part of body almost like a
cobra but they are non venomous!

3 Juvenile
2 3

Average Length 60 cm Maximum Length 175 cm

Schedule
C II
30/31

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CAMPUS

BRAHMINY WORM SNAKE Non

Venomous

Indotyphlops brahminus (Typhlos = blind, ops : eye)

A tiny worm like snake. Body uniform shiny black or reddish brown (1). Underside is lighter. Eyes appear like a small
black dot. All body scales are of similar size. Feeds on termites, ants and their eggs. Primarily fossorial. Often seen
among crevices, loose soil or under bricks, damp leaf litter or cement slab. They are parthenogenetic (female
produce eggs without mating and no male is so far known.

Distributed throughout India.

Average Length 12 cm Maximum Length 23 cm

Schedule
C IV
32/33

IN CASE OF SNAKEBITE

All snakebites should be treated with care. In case of venomous snake bite, timely administration of anti venom
under medical care is the only cure. Hospitals that are capable of treating snakebite are just few minutes drive
from our campus. So there will be enough time to reach the hospital. 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. Be calm; let people know about the emergency.

Remember that no snake can kill adult human being instantaneously.

1 2 3 4

Don't walk around Do not sleep or sit Do not lift logs, rocks Do not handle a
barefoot or wearing outside at night on or anything with your freshly killed or
only sandals at late the ground. Be bare hand /turn over injured snake
evening or at night watchful while rocks as a snake could
walking; always carry be hiding under.
torch or flashlight at
night
 KNOWING
CAMPUS

Common Krait
5 6 7 8

Don't attempt to Do not create snake Don't get within a Do not throw waste
capture snakes unless refuge by stacking snake's striking food near room/
you are skilled. bricks, tiles, stones or distance while trying house at it attracts
wood near your to identify it. rats and in turn
house. snake.
34/35

AVOIDING From June to September, you may encounter snakes quite often in our
campus. If you do encounter a snake, the best advice is to stand still
SNAKE-BITE and retreat slowly. Snakes never chase people. But, you can also take a
picture and record details from a safe distance.

FIRST-AID Remember Just "Do it R.I.G.H.T."

The letters in the mnemonic stands for
FOR SNAKE R. = Reassure the victim.

BITE VICTIMS 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 restrict
movement 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 tourniquet

 Do not apply ice, cut around the bite or try to suck out the poison
 Do not give the patient anything to drink or any over-the-counter medication
 KNOWING
CAMPUS

Snake venom Antiserum I.P., Antihistaminic (Inj. Avil),

SNAKE BITE Corticosteriod (Inj. Hydrocortisone), Distilled Water,
TREATMENT KIT Crepe Bandage, Syringe and Gloves

Kits are available at Director, Wildlife Institute of

India s Office and Main Gate of the Institute

Contact Number Doon Hospital

of Few Hospitals
(It is always advisable to enquire in
(0135) 2653523
advance regarding availability of anti
Minocha Hospital
(0135)2641700 snake venom at these hospitals before
Jan Kalyan Hospital you shift the victim)
(0135) 2742203

CMI Hospital
(0135)2720411

Astha Hospital
(0135) 2764413
36/37

AN APPEAL REALITY
IN MYTHS
On rainy days, snakes, frogs, crabs cross our No snake drinks milk deliberately, nor do any carry
roads to meet their relatives. Please drive a jewels. Snake never chase people nor can they
slowly and watchfully. Do not crush them! take revenge. Snakes do not dance to music and
none has a head on their tail. Even though few can
Do not keep cats as pets as they kill our campus
glide, none of them can fly. Rat snakes cannot mate
snakes and other reptiles.
with a cobra. More than 87% of Indian snakes are
harmless to human beings.

AN UNCANNY SUGGESTED
VISITOR! READING
Do not panic and run around. Do not disturb the Whitaker, R. And Captain, A. 2004.
snake or try catching it. Keep an eye on the Snakes of India : The Field Guide.
snake movement and just dial straight away Draco Books. 481 pp

Vasudevan, K. and Sondhi, S. 2010.

Dr. Abhijit Das Amphibians and Reptiles of
+919435149576, 0135-2646205(O), Uttarakhand, India. Wildlife Institute of
0135-2646212 ® India. 94 pp.

Dr. Sanath Krishna M.K. +919917649020,

0135-2646456 (O).
 KNOWING
CAMPUS

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
P O Box 18, Chandrabani
Dehradun - 248002
Uttarakhand
t. +91 135 2640111 - 115
f. +91 135 2640117
e. [email protected]
w. http://www.wii.gov.in

XPRESSIONS: 9219552563
Doc. XPS200715353