Just back from another amazing trip to Amboli with Nature India. This
was my second trip to explore the amazing Herpeto-fauna of this quaint
hill station in southern Maharashtra.
Over 3 days and 2 nights Adesh Shivkar, Mandar Khadilkar and world
renowned Indian Herpetologist Varad Giri spotted and explained to a
small group of enthusiasts the myriad forms and characteristics of
Amphibians and Reptiles that are found in Amboli and in this wider
region known ad the Western Ghats. Interestingly this region was
recently declared a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO of its rich
biodiversity.
Other than showing us various animals (including some rarely seen
Ceacilian species) in the field our expert guide - Varad Giri - was also
kind enough to give us two extensive slide show lectures where he
explained the diversity and significance of these lesser known
creatures.
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| Varad Giri |
Below are a few photo highlights from the trip:
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| Pied-belly Shieldtail Melanophidium punctatum |
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| Snake skink/ Lined writhing skink Lygosoma lineata |
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| Caecilian - Ichthyophis davidi |
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| Centipede (Scolopendra sp.) guarding its eggs |
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| White banded ground gecko Geckoella albofasciatus |
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| Malabar Pit Viper Trimeriesurus malabaricus |
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| Dwarf Gecko Cnemaspis sp |
Here's a listing of the Reptiles/Amphibian species we spotted in Amboli during this trip:
Reptiles
- Pied-belly Shieldtail Melanophidium punctatum
- Green Vine Snake Oxybelis fulgidus
- Malabar Pit Viper Trimeriesurus malabaricus
- Travancore Wolf Snake Lycodon travancoricus
- Dwarf Gecko Cnemaspis sp
- Bombay Leaf-toed Gecko Hemidactylus prashadi
- White banded ground gecko Geckoella albofasciatus
- Indian Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor
- Roux's Forest Calotes Calotes rouxii
- Snake skink/ Lined writhing skink Lygosoma lineata
Amphibians
1.
Malabar Flying Frog Rhacophorus malabaricus
2.
Common Indian Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus
3.
Indian Bull frog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus
4. Bombay
cricket frog/ Bombay bubble-nest frog Raorchestes bombayensis
5.
Amboli
Bush Frog Pseudophilautus amboli
6.
Amboli toad/ Yellow Tiger Toad Xanthophryne tigerina
7.
Narrow mouthed frog – Ramanella sp.
8.
Indirana
sp. frog
9.
Caecilian - Ichthyophis davidi
10.
Caecilian - Gegeneophis sp.
I would highly recommend this trip to all those who are curious about
the world of frogs and snakes but never knew whom to ask. Find details
of this trip and itinerary from Nature India's blog at this link:
You can view a larger collection of photos from this trip in the slideshow below or at this online album: https://picasaweb.google.com/108970323405962159319/HerpetofaunaOfAmboliAugust12#
Many thanks Nature India for yet another amazingly well planned and executed trip to Amboli! :-D
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