Lakhimpur Kheri: According to forest authorities, the rediscovered long-snouted vine snake (Ahaetulla longirostris) in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve here is the first sighting of the species in the state and just the second in India. On March 28, as authorities were removing a termite mound for safety during a rhino release operation in the Palia Kheri division, a bright green snake appeared, they added.
The species was discovered by a group of researchers led by field biologist Vipin Kapoor Sainy. Ahaetulla longirostris was previously only seen once, last year, in Bihar and Odisha. According to authorities, the species is often seen throughout Southeast Asia. According to Sainy, the finding opens the door for further studies on the species.
Authorities chose to keep the original termite mound intact, but the snake was handled cautiously and placed into a neighboring mound.
Dr. H. Raja Mohan, Field Director of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, praised the finding as evidence of the biological diversity of the reserve. “Dudhwa keeps revealing its hidden gems. “The importance of ongoing research and habitat conservation is highlighted by the rediscovery of Ahaetulla longirostris,” he stated.
It is a significant accomplishment for the protection of wildlife in India, according to Dr. Rengaraju T., Conservator of Forests and Deputy Director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
“The rediscovery of Ahaetulla longirostris in the Kakraha Rhino Reintroduction Area-1, South Sonaripur, underscores the ecological significance of even the smallest components, such as termite mounds, which provide crucial shelter for rare species,” he said.
According to a September research in the peer-reviewed Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, Sourabh Verma and Soham Pattekar visited a hamlet in Bihar next to a natural reserve in 2021. The biodiversity of the area, especially its amphibians and reptiles, has received little attention and research. According to the article, the pair discovered a dead snake while there. Something about the snake intrigued them—it didn’t seem like any known species—even if the reason of its death was still unknown. The snake’s genetic profile matched that of two snakes discovered over 700 miles distant, according to further DNA testing, which showed unexpected linkages. Their original suspicion was eventually confirmed by further surveys and thorough study.
