Lakhimpur Kheri, May 15—In a significant breakthrough for herpetological research, officials announced on Thursday that a rare brown morph of the long-snouted vine snake (Ahaetulla longirostris) was discovered alive in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
The elusive snake was sighted and photographed on Monday in the grasslands of the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary. This marks only the second live record of the species in Uttar Pradesh, following its initial observation earlier this year during the 2024 rhino translocation in the reserve's South Sonaripur range.
Spotted During Tiger Patrol
The discovery occurred during a coordinated tiger-tracking patrol. The team included wildlife biologists Vipin Kapoor Sainy, Apoorv Gupta, WWF India’s Rohit Ravi, veterinary expert Dr. Talha, pharmacist Sandeep, and forest staff members Bhagiram and Nabisher Khan.While conducting routine monitoring, biologist Sainy noticed the slender, elongated snake moving across the grassland towards a forest road. Recognising the species, the team promptly conducted a non-invasive photographic documentation and a brief health check, confirming the specimen's good condition. It was later released safely at the same spot under the supervision of forest range officer Mohammad Ayub.
Dudhwa's Biodiversity in the Spotlight
Dr. H Raja Mohan, Field Director of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, praised the team, stating, “Dudhwa is not just about tigers, elephants, or rhinos. It is an evolving repository of lesser-known and ecologically vital species.”He emphasised that the sighting of the brown morph of Ahaetulla longirostris, never previously documented in India, highlights the depth of the reserve's biodiversity.
Insights into Ecological Diversity
Deputy Director Dr. Rengaraju T elaborated that this sighting, especially of both green and brown colour morphs, suggests a broader ecological range for the species in the Terai plains.“The Kishanpur sighting opens new avenues for studying polymorphism, microhabitat preferences, and species distribution in the Indo-Gangetic region,” he noted.
Dr. Rengaraju described the long-snouted vine snake as mildly venomous and easily misidentified due to its laterally compressed body, pointed snout, and horizontal pupils—traits shared with closely related species.
Strengthening Biodiversity Monitoring
In light of the discovery, the Forest Department plans to boost biodiversity monitoring, promote herpetological surveys, and build local expertise for identifying and conserving cryptic species.“This reaffirms Dudhwa’s emerging role as a hub for herpetofaunal research in northern India,” Dr. Rengaraju added.
This landmark finding not only enriches the ecological narrative of the reserve but also underscores the importance of continued exploration and documentation of India’s rich wildlife heritage.
