International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

ISSN (Online): 2319-7064

Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391

Ophiofauna Diversity of Dhaltangarh Forest of

Odisha, India
Sambit Kumar Dwibedy1
1
Khallikote University, PG Department of Zoology, Berhampur, Odisha, India

Abstract: A small study was undertaken in Dhaltangarh forest to explore snake diversity. Studies were conducted by systematic
observation, catching by snake-stick & photographic capture. The study yielded 19 snake species including a huge Burmese python
species. Out of the total snakes, 5 were found to be venomous, one was mildly venomous and rest 13 were non-venomous. It was
concluded that this forest is rich in snakes belonging to Colubrid family. It was also revealed that mimicry is the main cause of the
death of some non-venomous snakes in this forest.

Keywords: Dhaltangarh, Odisha, Ophiofauna, Venomous, Mimicry

1. Introduction water, others that live underground in holes and burrows that
they or other animals have dug, and yet others that spend
Ophiology is a sub-discipline of herpetology that deals with their lives high up in the canopy of trees. Most snakes
the scientific study of snakes. Snakes are a major group of reproduce by laying eggs but some species give birth to fully
reptiles included under sub-order Ophidia of order Squamata. developed young. Certain species of snake like pythons or
Snakes have consolidated as the most successful lineage the king cobra even guard and protect their eggs.
among living reptiles in terms of species richness,
morphological and ecological diversity. They are also the An interesting phenomenon called Batesian mimicry is
most fearer group of reptiles in world since in their observed among some snakes. Batesian mimicry is a form of
appearance but the majorities of them are non-venomous and mimicry in which an innocuous species has evolved imitate
are valuable to both humans and ecosystem [1]. Snakes the warning signals of a potentially harmful species directed
along with lizards are included under Order Squamata. at one or several common predators [7]. Warning signals may
be patterns, colors, shape, behavior, odours and sounds [8]
There are about 3,619 species of snakes were in records [9] [10] [11] [12]. Batesian mimicry confers an advantage –i.
under 26 families all over the world [2].There are 518 e, protection from predation [13]. But it is also associated
species of reptiles found in India out of which Snakes with a risk factor, i.e., people think these snakes venomous
dominates with 279 species [3]. More than 80 species of and hurt them in fear of being bitten. This is the main cause
snakes have been reported in Odisha including, 20 marine of snake depletion.
snake species [4].
The snakes are integral part of the forest eco-system as their
Snakes are limbless reptiles having an elongated body with positions in the food chain as predator make them important
scales which are arranged in rows [5].A snake is in the nutrient flow. Snakes play key ecological roles in
characterized as a great elongation of the body, accompanied controlling rodent pests [14] [15]. They maintain the balance
by complete absence of anterior limbs, great reduction or of nature and serve a lot to mankind. Due to anthropogenic
complete absence of hind limbs, associated elongation of pressures snakes are depleting sharply from the earth. Snakes
internal organs with reduction or loss of one of the lungs, a populations are influenced by microhabitat factors such as
peculiarly efficient mode of locomotion by wriggling with soil, pH, humidity, leaf litter and woody debris [16]. Among
extreme flexibility of vertebral column aided by distinctive reptiles, snakes are top predators and therefore a decline in
character of transverse plates [4]. Snakes are different from their numbers may have serious consequences for the
lizard in that they lack eyelids, limbs and external ear. Other functioning of many ecosystems [17].
Characteristics of snakes include a transverse cloacal
opening, more movable skull than other reptiles, presence of 2. Literature Survey
paired copulatory organ called hemipenes in male, keratinous
scale that cover the body, shedding of the outer epidermal In most of the parts of the earth herpetologists are trying to
layer (ecdysis) [6]. Other evolutionary trends for many provide the actual assessment of snakes. In India, also many
snakes include the loss or reduction of limbs and the ability works have been done accurately and many new species were
to lose their tail (caudal autotomy). discovered. Many ophiologists of Odisha also did some
assessment of the ophiofauna in an excellent way.
Sub-order Ophidia includes 11snake family. Snakes can be
found on all continents except Antarctica, and they have Twenty-five species of snakes were reported by Rout et al.,
conquered the most divergent environments from the (2015) from Kuldhia Wildlife Sanctuary, Mayurbhanj,
mountains of the Himalayas to the coral reefs of the Pacific Odisha [18]. Pradhan, Mishra & Sahu (2014) enlisted 20
Ocean [5]. There are snakes that spend all their life in the species of snakes belonging to 17 genera and 5 families from

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 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
Gandhamardan Hills of Western Odisha [19]. Dutta et al.,
(2009) compiled a list of 33 species of snakes from
Similipala Biosphere Reserve of Odisha [4].

Some new species of snakes have been discovered recently in

Odisha. A new snake species named Lycodon Odishi was
claimed to be discovered by Mallik et al., (2014) in Ganjam
[20]. Another species named Ahetualla anamala was
discovered by Dr Pratyush Mohapatra in Mayurbhanj. Still Figure 2: Board showing way to Forest office
some areas of Odisha are remained uncovered in this field.
Many species of snakes are becoming extinct before they
come to human knowledge. A wildlife study was performed
in the Dhalatangagarh RPF of Odisha. But it was a
preliminary step to assess the ophio-fauna of the desired
forest. The work was carried out by me and it yielded an
interesting checklist of ophiofauna diversity.

3. Materials and Methods Figure 3: Board showing area of the forest

3.1 Study Area

The Odisha state of India has a geographical area of 155,707

sq. km. The recorded forest area of this state is 52,472 sq. km
(SFR 1999). Jagatsinghpur district is one of the coastal
districts of Odisha which lies between 19 58’ & 20 23’N
latitude and between 86 30’ & 86 45’ E longitudes.
Dhalatangagarh is a small forest of Jagatsinghpur. It is in
Raghunathpur block of Jagatsinghpur district, located 15
kilometers away from Jagatsinghpur town. It is a reserve Figure 4: Hansua river, on the shore of which Dhaltangarh is
protected forest, under the control of Cuttack forest division. located
It is located on the shore of dead Hansua river, between
longitude 20 316295’ & 20 317496’N and latitude 86
2462941’ & 86 232296’E (Google Map). It has a total
geographical area of 279.03 acre. A canal named Taladanda
No-8, is going through this forest. The forest is surrounded
by 10villages named-Ramachandrapur, Deulisahi, Ganailo,
Nalibara, Pandra, Kakudia, Balansa, Mundala, Gopalpur &
Brahmanbadi. Two villages are situated inside the forest
named- Badagada & Sanagada. Figure 5: Road passing through Dhaltangarh

During summer the temperature is more than 27 C and the 3.2 Methodology
minimum temperature is recorded during winter as 15C.
Scattered grasslands, Deer park, Lord Gopinath Temple and The duration of the study was 9 months, from 14th August
Dhruva’s birth place are the fascinating attraction of this 2016 to 15thMay 2017 with 63 days of sampling in the
forest. Dhalatangagarh is an excellent habitat of many rare region. The study was focused on ophidian diversity of
flora and fauna. More than 50 species of plants are seen here Dhaltangarh. The study area covers an area of 279.03 acre.
out of which many have a great medicinal value. Studies were conducted by systematic observation, hand
Dhalatangarh is dominated by plants like teak, thorny picking method & photographic capture. Collections of
bamboo, coromandel ebony, Indian gooseberry etc. Faunal species were done along the river banks, canal, ponds,
diversity of this forest ranges from invertebrates like several swampy areas, forest trails, forest floor and around human
spiders, scorpions to vertebrates like deer. habitations. The materials used to create this research paper
were a camera, key to Indian snakes ([21], [4], [22], [23]),
measuring scale, spade, binocular, torch & a snake catching
stick. Intensive searches during dusk and night were done to
locate crepuscular, nocturnal species. Some snakes were
observed from the tree with the help of 840 Bushnell
binoculars. A few snakes were captured and measured with
the help of snake catching stick. Blind snakes were observed
by digging the soil with the help of a spade. Extensive photo
documentation was done. Larger specimens were
Figure 1: Dhaltangarh Reserve Protected Forest photographed at the site. Smaller snake specimens were

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 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
captured and taken to the nearer forest office and
photographed there for study in greater details. Nikon D5600
camera was used to take the picture of the animals. Only
those species with confirmed identification are listed in this
paper. Exhaustive interviews were carried out with local
people and forest staffs.

Figure 11: Gongylophis conicus

Figure 6: Snake catching stick and snake hook

Figure 12: Oligodon arnensis

Figure 7: Picture taken during sampling

4. Results & Discussions

Figure 13: Amphiesma stolatum

Figure 8: Indotyphlops braminus

Figure 14: Xenchrophis piscator

Figure 9: Rhinotyphlops acutus

Figure 10: Python bivittatus Figure 15: Xenchrophis sanctijohannis

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ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
In snakes, from all the 6 families found Colubridae
dominates over other 5 families. Ten species belong to
Colubridae family, 4 species belong to Elapidae, 2 no of
species to family Typhlopidae and one to each Boidae,
Pythonidae and Viperidae. The percentages of snakes
belonging to different families are mentioned in the figure
21.

Out of the 19-snake species 5 snake species are venomous,

Figure 16: Ahetula nasuta one is mildly venomous and the rest thirteen are non-
venomous (Figure 22). Monocled cobra, spectacled cobra,
Common krait, Banded krait and Russell Viper are the deadly
poisonous snakes of this forest. Green vine snake is mildly
poisonous and the rest are the non-venomous snakes
observed in this forest.

Out of the 19 species, three are completely fossorial

(Indotyphlops braminus, Rhinotyphlops acutus and
Gongylophis conicus), three are arboreal (Python bivittatus,
Figure 17: Naja naja Ahetula nasuta and Dendrelaphis tristis), three are mainly
aquatic (Xenchrophis sanctijohannis, Xenchrophis piscator
and Enhydris cnhydris) and the rest are land-dwelling
reptiles. Most of the snakes found in this forest are mainly
nocturnal and crepuscular.

In Dhaltangarh forest species like rat snake, chekered keel

back and common krait are of common occurrence. But
species like Burmeese python and Naja naja are few.
Typhlops are rarely seen due to their burrowing secretive
Figure 18: Bungarus fasciatus killed by local people habits but they are abundant inside the soil. Naja kaouthia,
Enhydris cnhydris and Ptyas mucosa are present in this forest
abundantly but unfortunately not photographed.

Batesian mimicry was the most eye-catching phenomenon

observed among some non-venomous snake species of this
forest. Common kukri, Indian wolf snake and Barred wolf
snake are the three-unknown species to this area. These three
species are mistaken as venomous snake due to their
resemblances to some venomous snakes. Common Kukri
Figure 19: Bungarus caeruleus snake mimics to banded krait; Indian wolf snake and Barred
wolf snake mimics to Common krait and sand boa mimics to
Russell viper. The mimicry of these 4 non-venomous species
often led them towards their death. People kill these 4 species
in ignorance as thinking them venomous snakes.

Table 1: Species Systematic Position

Family Genus Species
Typhlopidae Indotyphlops braminus
Rhinotyphlops acutus
Pythonidae Python bivittatus
Figure 20: Daboia ruselii Boidae Gongylophis conicus
Ptyas mucosa
The study yielded 19 ophidian species. From the survey and Oligodon arnensis
assessment work, it was found that the ophidian species Colubridae Amphiesma stolatum
present are belonging to 6 Families and 15 genera (Table Xenchrophis piscator
1).The snake fauna of Dhaltangarh comprises members of sanctijohannis
family Typhlopidae, Pythonidae, Boidae, Colubridae, Dendrelaphis tristis
Elapidae and Viperidae. The local name/vernacular names, Lycodon aulicus
English names & scientific names are given in Table 2 along striatus
with their IUCN status. Enhydris cnhydris
Ahetulla nasuta
Elapidae Naja Naja

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kaouthia
Bungarus fasciatus
caeruleus
Viperidae Daboia ruselii

Figure 22: Bar chart showing snakes with respect to their

venom
Figure 21: Pie chart showing percentage of different
Ophidian family of Dhaltangarh

Table 2: Species scientific name along with local name, English name and IUCN status (NV-Non-venomous, MV-Mildly-
venomous, V-Venomous, L.C-Least concerned, VUL- Vulnerable, N.T- Near threatened)
Sl No Scientific Name Common Name English Name Venom Iucn Status
1 Indotyphlops braminus Sana domundia Brahminy blind snkae NV L.C
2 Rhinotyphlops acutus Bada domundia Beaked worm snake NV L.C
3 Gongylophis conicus Bali boda Common sand boa NV L.C.
4 Python bivittatus Ajagara Burmeese python NV N.T
5 Ptyas mucosa Dhamana Indian rat snake NV L.C
6 Oligodon arnensis Kukri sapa Common kukri snake NV L.C
7 Amphiesma stolatum Mati biradi Buff striped keelback NV L.C
8 Xenchrophis piscator Dhanda Checkered keelback NV L.C
9 Xenchrophis sanctijohannis Dhanda St John’s keelback NV LC
10 Dendrelaphis tristis Kanala / Kandanala Bronzeback tree snake NV L.C
11 Lycodon aulicus Kaudia Chiti Indian wolf snake NV L.C
12 Lycodon striatus Kaudia Chiti Barred wolf snake NV L.C
13 Enhydris cnhydris Kauchia Smooth scaled water snake NV L.C
14 Ahetula nasuta Laudankia Green vine snake MV L.C
15 Naja naja Naga / Gokhara Spectacled cobra V L.C
16 Naja kaouthia Tampa Monocled cobra V L.C
17 Bungarus fasciatus Rana Banded krait V L.C
18 Bungarus caeruleus Chiti sapa Common krait V L.C
19 Daboia ruselii Chandana boda Russell viper V L.C

5. Conclusion The habitat of these reptiles is being degraded due to the

destruction forests. So, there is an urgent need for
Major causes of loss of snakes in the Dhaltangarh RPF are conservation of this forest to save ophiofauna resources.
forest fire based habitat loss, Destruction of forest by local
people, vehicular passage and ignorance of local people. References
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ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
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