Rare species of egg-eating snake found in Telangana
This rare egg eating species was thought to be extinct in 1969
Hyderabad: A rare species of egg-eating snake has been discovered in Telangana.
Last week a snake managed to enter inside the compound of a residence in BHEL, Patancheru, Hyderabad. Alarmed residents and neighbours were about to kill the snake, when a passerby stopped them and informed the Friends of Snakes Society.
The organisation reached the spot and rescued this unusual snake. On the same night, the snake reached the Society’s shelter in Sainikpuri, where it was identified as the Indian Egg-eater.
This rare egg eating species was thought to be extinct in 1969, as listed in IUCN Red List Data; however was rediscovered at Corbett National Park, Uttarakand in 2003. Since then, this specimen was documented from very few parts (merely 16 other locations) of Central, Western and Northern India.
The specimen due to its rare occurrence is protected under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, along with Pythons. The current discovery of this snake is the first record for the state of Telangana.
Indian egg-eater is a small, gentle, non-venomous snake growing less than 3ft, with dark brown overall colouration. It also has a yellow band running down the spine. Not much is known about their behaviour.
The snake exclusively feed on bird eggs. A specialized vertebral projection, hypapophysis, breaks the ingested egg and the yolk is pushed inward with the peristaltic movement of the oesophagus. Once the entire yolk is ingested, the remaining shell is regurgitated.
The specimen is being studied scientifically to gain more insights into its needs and behaviour.