Reptiles

About Reptiles

 Reptiles are air-breathing vertebrates covered in special skin made up of scales, bony plates, or a combination of both. They include crocodiles, snakes, lizards, turtles, and tor- toises. All regularly shed the outer layer of their skin. Their metabolism depends on the temperature of their environment.

 Unlike birds and mammals, reptiles do not maintain a constant internal body temperature. Without fur or feathers for insulation, they cannot stay warm on a cold day, and without sweat glands or the ability to pant, they cannot cool off on a hot one. Instead, they move into the sun or into the shade as needed. During cooler parts of the year they become inactive. Because of their slow metabolism and heat-seeking behaviour, reptiles are cold-blooded.

 Reptile reproduction also depends on temperature. Only boas and pythons give birth to live young. The other species lay their eggs in a simple nest, and leave. The young hatch days to months later. The soil temperature is critical during this time: It determines how many hatchlings will be male or female. Young reptiles can glide, walk, and swim within hours of birth. Reptiles first appear in the fossil record 315 million years ago and were the dominant animals during the Mesozoic era, which lasted for 270 million years until the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Identification of Poisonous Snakes

  • Snakes having even sized scales on the ventral side are Non-Poisonous,
  1. Smaller scales on ventral surface.
  2. Ventral surface having a median row of horizontal scales extending upto dorsal surface.
  • Snakes having only horizontal scales on the ventral side— either be poisonous or non-poisonous, so pattern on the head should be referred.
  • Head: if the scales on the head are broad ….. it is viper.

If the scales on the head broad ….. if can either be poisonous or non-poisonous. So the following points should be considered.

  1.  The head when seen laterally, shows a pit between nostrils & eyes, it is a pit viper a poisonous snake.
  2. When the lateral view of the head shows third lateral scale attached on one side to nostril and the other side attached to the eye, it is either cobra or a king cobra.
  • If the head has broad scales as ….. but has no resemblance to figure… or figure… the following points should be considered.
  1. If the central line of scales on the dorsal side are big …
  2.  The infra labials on either side are broader as shown fig… it is a krait.
  • Any snake with broader scales on the head as shown in fig… but do not resemble any of the fig…. then it is non-poisonous.

Note: Sea snake which as a laterally compressed tail & smaller scales on the head is poisonous. 

Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans)

  1. Indian star tortoise is small reptile that belongs to the family of tortoises. It can be found in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

    1. Habit: Terrestrial
    2. Habitat: Coastal shrub lands, semi-arid and desert
    3. Distribution: Throughout peninsular India and Sind of Pakistan 
    4. Activity: Crepuscular
    5. Diet in captivity: Fruits and vegetables 
    6. Weight: 1.3-2.5 kg
    7. Body length: Male: 20 cm; Female: 30 cm
    8. Sexual maturity: Male: 6-8 years; female: 8-12 years
    9. Breeding season: Eggs are laid in March to June and October to November; Mating during rainy season 
    10. Incubation period: 47-147 days
    11. Clutch size: 3-7 eggs
    12. Life span: 30-35 years
    13. Threats in wild: Pet trade
    14. Conservation status: “Least concern” in IUCN.
    in IUCN.
  • Male Indian star tortoises have a long tail, and females have a short stubby tail.
  • The smooth soft-shell turtle is the only soft-shell turtle without spines and bumps on the carapace. It is lighter in weight than other turtles which helps it swim faster.

 

Soft shelled turtle (Amyda cartilaginea)

  1. Habit: Inhabits in shallow waters, prefer to lie half buried in the mud
  2. Habitat: Ponds, tanks
  3. Distribution: Southeastern Asia, in the lowlands of the peninsula and on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Lombok, and Borneo.
  4. Activity: Diurnal 
  5. Diet in captivity: Fish 
  6. Weight: 2-3 kg
  7. Body length: Male: 25-30 cm; Female: 30-35 cm
  8. Sexual maturity: Male: 4-5 years; female: 8-10 years
  9. Breeding season: Mating during rainy season; peaks in April to July
  10. Incubation period: 126-147 days
  11. Clutch size: 3-30 eggs
  12. Life span: 30-35 years
  13. Threats in wild: illegal trade, poaching for meat
  14. Conservation status: “Vulnerable” in IUCN.

Monitor Lizard (Varanus bengalensis)

Monitor lizard is large reptile that belongs to the genus Varanus. There are 78 species of monitor lizard that can be found in Africa, Asia and Oceania.

  1. Habit: Terrestrial. Young ones climb trees also.
  2. Habitat: Scrub forest to evergreen forests; near human habitation, termite mounds, etc.
  3. Distribution: Throughout India, Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
  4. Activity: Diurnal
  5. Diet in captivity: Beef
  6. Weight: 5-10 kg
  7. Body length: 155-175 cm with around 100 cm tail
  8. Sexual maturity: 3-4 years
  9. Breeding season: April to October  
  10. Incubation period: 250 days
  11. Clutch size: 7-30 eggs
  12. Life span: 12-15 years
  13. Threats in wild: Poaching for skin and meat
  14. Conservation status: “Least concern” in IUCN.
  • The skin of monitor lizards is used in making a carnatic music percussion instrument called a kanjira. It is an instrument of the tambourine family.
  • This species is the second-heaviest lizard species in the world. The only species of lizard heavier than this monitor is the massive Komodo dragon.

 

Water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator)

The Asian water monitor is large lizard native to South and Southeast Asia. It is one of the most common monitor lizards in Asia and is among the largest reptiles in the world.

  1. Habit: Mostly aquatic in nature
  2. Habitat: Fresh & salt water, mangroves, costal estuaries.
  3. Distribution: Orissa, Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Andaman islands. 
  4. Activity: Diurnal
  5. Diet in captivity: Fish, Beef
  6. Weight: 10-15 kg
  7. Body length: 180-250 cm 
  8. Sexual maturity: 2-3 years
  9. Breeding season: Rainy season  
  10. Incubation period: 180-320 days
  11. Clutch size: 10-25 eggs
  12. Life span: 12-20 years
  13. Threats in wild: Poaching for skin and meat, Habitat destruction.
  14. Conservation status: “Least concern” in IUCN.

Indian Rock Python (Python molurus)

Indian pythons are large nonvenomous snakes native to tropical regions of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. 

  1. Habit: Non-venomous
  2. Habitat: Open forests with rocky outcrops; rivers and Jheels.
  3. Distribution: Peninsular India, Sri Lanka, Sind of Pakistan. 
  4. Activity: Diurnal and nocturnal
  5. Diet in captivity: Chicks, rats
  6. Weight: 80-90 kg
  7. Body length: 366-750 cm 
  8. Sexual maturity: 4-5 years
  9. Breeding season: March to June 
  10. Incubation period: 48-69 days
  11. Clutch size: 10-100 eggs
  12. Life span: 20-25 years
  13. Threats in wild: Habitat loss, wildlife trade and poaching
  14. Conservation status: “Least concern” in IUCN.
  • This is a popular snake featured in The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Kaa is an Indian python; it is one of Mowgli's trusted mentors and friends.
  • Rat snakes are frequently considered beneficial creatures when it comes to pest management, particularly for rodents.

 

Common Rat snake (Python molurus)

Rat snakes are medium-to-large, nonvenomous snakes that kill by constriction. They pose no threat to humans. 

  1. Habit: Non-venomous, very agile
  2. Habitat: Plains and open country near human habitation.
  3. Distribution: Asia continent 
  4. Activity: Diurnal
  5. Diet in captivity: Chicks, rats
  6. Weight: 80-90 kg
  7. Body length: 366-750 cm 
  8. Sexual maturity: 4-5 years
  9. Breeding season: March to June 
  10. Incubation period: 48-69 days
  11. Clutch size: 10-100 eggs
  12. Life span: 20-25 years
  13. Threats in wild: Habitat loss, wildlife trade and poaching 
  14. Conservation status: “Least concern” in IUCN.

in IUCN.

Indian Cobra (Naja naja)

The Indian cobra is large highly venomous snake and is a member of the “big four” species that inflict the most snakebites on humans in India. The Indian cobra is revered in Indian mythology and culture and is often seen with snake charmers.

  1. Habit: Non-venomous, very agile
  2. Habitat: savanna, grasslands, rain forest and scrub forest.
  3. Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
  4. Activity: Diurnal and nocturnal
  5. Diet in captivity: Chicks, rats
  6. Body length: 1.8m to 2.2m.
  7. Sexual maturity: 4-5 years
  8. Breeding season: March to June 
  9. Incubation period: 50 days
  10. Clutch size: 12-20 eggs
  11. Life span: 20-25 years
  12. Threats in wild: Habitat loss, wildlife trade and poaching
  13. Conservation status: “Lower risk” in IUCN.
  • The Indian cobra is greatly respected and feared and even has its own place in Hindu mythology as a powerful deity. The Hindu god Shiva is often depicted with a cobra called Vasuki, coiled around his neck, symbolizing his mastery over "maya" or the world-illusion.

Iguana breathes using lungs. It can spend 28 minutes under the water without returning to the surface to breathe air.

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)

Iguana is a type of large lizards. It can be found in Mexico, Central America, Brazil and on Caribbean Islands. Different species live in different habitats.

  1. Habit: tropical, terrestrial
  2. Habitat: Savanna, grasslands, rain forest and scrub forest.
  3. Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
  4. Activity: Diurnal
  5. Diet in captivity: Fruits and vegetables
  6. Weight: 5-8 kg 
  7. Body length: 1-2 m.
  8. Sexual maturity: Male: 3-4 years; female: 2-5 years
  9. Breeding season: Dry season
  10. Incubation period: 59-84 days
  11. Clutch size: 10-30 eggs
  12. Life span: 15-20 years
  13. Threats in wild: Habitat loss, wildlife trade 

Conservation status: “Lower risk” in IUCN.

Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

Probably the largest among present day reptiles. Dark olive or brownish olive above interspersed with yellow which is distinctive of this species sometimes with a brassy tinge. 

  1. Habit: More aquatic than muggers
  2. Habitat:  Estuaries of the large continent rivers, marine, swamps and costal (brackish) water lakes.
  3. Distribution: Entire west coast and east coast also in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
  4. Activity: Diurnal
  5. Diet: Mainly feed on fish
  6. Body length: 5-7 meters
  7. Weight:  Average 4 to 5 m long specimen weight up to 408 kg.
  8. Sexual maturity: 10-12 years
  9. Breeding season:  Dry season.
  10. Nesting Season: Dry season April to May
  11. Clutch Size: 10-97 eggs.
  12. Incubation period: 80-90 days.
  13. Lifespan: 70-80 years.
  14. Threats in wild: Loss of habitat, man-crocodile conflict.
  15. Conservation status: “Least concern” by IUCN

Marsh Crocodile (MUGGAR) Crocodylus palustris

There are 23 species of crocodilians distributed in the world. They can go without food for long periods, even for months.

  1. Habit: Aquatic but comes out for basking and egg-lying.
  2. Habitat:  These are found in lakes, rivers, marshes and large water bodies.
  3. Distribution: They are found throughout India, Bangladesh Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
  4. Activity: Diurnal as well as nocturnal
  5. Diet: Feeds on fish, other reptiles and mammals.
  6. Body length: Adult 4-5 m
  7. Weight: 100-200 Kg
  8. Sexual maturity: Male: 5-6 years; female: 5 years
  9. Breeding Season:  February to April
  10. Hatching period: 55-75 days
  11. Clutch Size: 8-45 eggs.
  12. Lifespan: 70 years.
  13. Threats in wild: Loss of habitat, man-crocodile conflict.
  14. Conservation status: “Vulnerable” by IUCN

status: “Lest concern” in IUCN.

Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)

Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts. Crocodilians are a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and more. 

  1. Habit: Aquatic but comes out for basking and egg laying 
  2. Habitat:  It is a riverine species and prefers the calmer areas in the perennial deep fast moving rivers.
  3. Distribution: They are found in river systems of the Indus, Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Mahanadi.
  4. Activity: Diurnal as well as nocturnal
  5. Diet: Adults feeds on fish and young ones eat insects, tadpoles, small fishes. Body length: Adult 5-7 m
  6. Sexual maturity: Male: 15 years; female: 10-12 years
  7. Breeding Season: Between November to February
  8. Nesting Season:  March to April
  9. Incubation period: 75-80 days
  10. Clutch Size: 10-97 eggs.
  11. Lifespan: 100 years.
  12. Threat in wild: Habitat loss
  13. Conservation status: “Critically Endangered” by IUCN
  • Gharials have between 106 and 110 interlocking, razor-sharp teeth.
  • Quills of these animals have greasy coverage, containing antibiotics, which neutralize infection if porcupines are accidentally pricked by their own quills.

 

Indian Porcupine (Hystrix indica)

The Indian porcupine is an ‘Old World’ porcupine and one of the world’s largest porcupines. This rodent has rather long quills of up to 16 inches.

  1. Habit: Fussorial, lives solitary or in small groups (2-4 individual)
  2. Habitat:  Mountains, tropical and sub-tropical grasslands, scrubland and forests
  3. Distribution: Southern and middle East Asia, in India from Himalayas to Cape Comorin
  4. Activity: Nocturnal
  5. Diet in captivity: Fruits and Vegetables 
  6. Body length: 70-90 cm; tail: 8-10 cm
  7. Sexual maturity: 1-1.5 years
  8. Breeding Season: Throughout the year
  9. Gestation period: 90 days
  10. Litter size: 2-4 
  11. Lifespan: 18-20 years
  12. Threat in wild: Habitat loss, poaching for meat and quills
  13. Conservation status: “Critically Endangered” by IUCN

Indian giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica)

Indian giant squirrel is one of the most cute and lovable squirrels around the globe. This animal exhibits 2 – 3 types of color pattern with shades of black, brown and deep red.

  1. Habit: tropical, terrestrial
  2. Habitat: Giant squirrels are found primarily in moist tropical forests.
  3. Distribution: peninsular India
  4. Activity: Diurnal
  5. Diet in captivity: Fruits, Vegetables, leaves cerelac and 
  6. Body length: 25-45 cm; tail: 25-45 cm
  7. Sexual maturity: 1-1.5 years
  8. Breeding Season: Throughout the year
  9. Gestation period: 28-35 days
  10. Litter size: 1-3
  11. Lifespan: 15-20 years
  12. Threat in wild: Habitat loss, poaching for meat and quills
  13. Conservation status: “Least concern” by IUCN
  1. Conservation status: “Lest concern” in IUCN.
  • A male Indian giant squirrel is called a 'buck', a female is referred to as a 'doe', whereas offspring is called a 'pup, kit or kitten'. A group of these rodents is known as a 'dray or scurry'.