Records of the Indian Sand Snake Psammophis condanarus (Merrem, 1820) (Reptilia: Lamprophiidae) in southern India

Main Article Content

S. R. Ganesh
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1947-8093
Vivek Sharma
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9049-9201
M. Bubesh Guptha
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4526-9527

Abstract

We present new records of the Indian Sand Snake Psammophis condanarus from southern India, where its existence has remained doubtful till date.  Our records are based on both live and preserved voucher specimens that are illustrated and described here.  We furnish distribution records of this species from two sites belonging to two different ecoregions in southern India—Tirupati in the Eastern Ghats and Hospete in the Deccan plateau.  Our work highlights the obscurity of certain, large-growing, diurnal land snakes that have as yet managed to evade the attention of field biologists largely due to a lack of field surveys in certain ecoregions. 

Article Details

Section
Short Communications
Author Biographies

S. R. Ganesh, Chennai Snake Park, Rajbhavan Post, Chennai 600 022, Tamil Nadu, India.

Scientist

Vivek Sharma, Post-Graduate Program in Dept. of Zoology, Govt. Model Science College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh 482003, India

Graduate Student.

 

M. Bubesh Guptha, Wildlife Consultant, BioLab of Seshachalam hills, Wildlife Management Circle, Kapilatheertham, Tirupati -517 501, Andhra Pradesh, India

Consultant Wildlife Biologist.

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