Photos / Sounds
What
Malabar Brown Kukri Snake (Oligodon affinis)Observer
unnikrishnanPlace
Edakkoli, Vellilappilly village, Ramapuram grama panchayath, Kottayam district, Kerala State, India (Google, OSM)Description
It was a juvenile specimen.Has the charectaristics of Oligodon affinis and Sibynophis subpunctatus. Came out from a Rubber plantation and killed by a labourer
What
Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
A white moth with dark stripes.Three black spots were there at the posterior tip of the hind wings.
What
Malabar Vine Snake (Ahaetulla malabarica)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
The snake was green in color. It looked like Ahaetulla ahaetulla . Altitude. 2400 meters above sea level. Type of Vegetation. An Evergreen Patch inside a Dry Deciduous Forest.Time 1.15pm
Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
The color of the insect was emerald green.It was slim.Looked like the palm weevil. Altitude 2400 meters above sea level. Vegetation type. Grass land Time around 1.45pm
What
Mantids (Family Mantidae)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
A Large Praying Mantis.Altitude 2400 meters above sea level. Vegetation Grass land.Time 1.30pm
What
Frogs and Toads (Order Anura)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
A Frog with brown irregular stripes on both the sides of the spinal chord.
Photos / Sounds
What
Stone and Fat-tailed Geckos (Genus Diplodactylus)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
We saw a large gecko on the banks of Kabani river Wayanad,Kerala, India. The time was around 8.30pm, soon after a drizzling.
Area. Kuruwa Islands, Wayanad
Altitude. 2100 meters above sea level.
Type of vegetation. Riparian Forest
What
Wynad Keelback (Amphiesma monticola)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
"Got one snake from Ramapuram area of Kottayam District. Kerala. The altitude is around 56.7 metres from MSL. I got it from an abandoned paddy field at about 3.30pm in the afternoon.The sky was cloudy.Temparature was around 40 degrees. The snake came to the open from a paddy field which is covered with a rich growth of creepers and small perennial plants.
Description: color :Brown dorsally and white ventrally.The flanks have a reddish tinge.
Length : 53.5 cms including the tail.
Tail length : 16.5 cms
Eyes : Large and bulging.Black with round pupils. Two white distinct stripes on the pre ocular as well as on the post ocular shields.
Ventrals : 153 in no.
Anal : Divided
Sub caudals : 89 in no. Paired
Dorsal scales : 19 in no.
Supra Labiala : 8 in no.
Dorsal scales are rough in texture.There are three or four prominent ridges on each side of the body towards the rear end.Body slender.Indistinct flower like brick red markings can be seen on the dorsal side on careful examination.Markings are regular located through the spinals.
No Fangs.
Unfortunately no good photographs are available.Just two unclear poly chromatic mobile shots are the only images to be posted.
Inference : I think the specimen is Amphiesma monticola. Not sure with the identification. Want to get it confirmed by experts."
What
Blue Tiger Moth (Dysphania percota)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
The moth came to the light by around 8.30 in the night.
What
Wynad Keelback (Amphiesma monticola)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
Got one snake from Ramapuram area of Kottayam District. Kerala. The altitude is around 56.7 metres from MSL. I got it from an abandoned paddy field at about 3.30pm in the afternoon.The sky was cloudy.Temparature was around 40 degrees. The snake came to the open from a paddy field which is covered with a rich growth of creepers and small perennial plants.
Description: color :Brown dorsally and white ventrally.The flanks have a reddish tinge.
Length : 53.5 cms including the tail.
Tail length : 16.5 cms
Eyes : Large and bulging.Black with round pupils. Two white distinct stripes on the pre ocular as well as on the post ocular shields.
Ventrals : 153 in no.
Anal : Divided
Sub caudals : 89 in no. Paired
Dorsal scales : 19 in no.
Supra Labiala : 8 in no.
Dorsal scales are rough in texture.There are three or four prominent ridges on each side of the body towards the rear end.Body slender.Indistinct flower like brick red markings can be seen on the dorsal side on careful examination.Markings are regular located through the spinals.
No Fangs.
Unfortunately no good photographs are available.Just two unclear poly chromatic mobile shots are the only images to be posted.
Inference : I think the specimen is Amphiesma monticola. Not sure with the identification. Want to get it confirmed by experts.
"
What
Sri Lankan Atlas Moth (Attacus taprobanis)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
I saw a dead specimen of Atlas moth in the front yard of a deserted house at Pampady,Kottayam.The wing span is 24 cms.
What
Kerala Mud Snake (Dieurostus dussumieri)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
About 50 cms in length.Glossy scales.Two dark lateral streaks extending throughout the body.Belly slightly purple in color.Slightly thicker than the thumb of an average adult.
What
Genus DichapetalumObserver
unnikrishnanDescription
We saw a bushy plant with Red dicotyledonous seeds yesterday in a holy grove near chengottukavu.The seed cover was split open but was still in position.THE cover was grey in color and very thick
What
Antlions and Owlflies (Family Myrmeleontidae)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
We saw a very large Ant lion while we were trekking through the forests of Brahmagiri,Thirunelli,Wayanad,Kerala.It was about one third size of our first finger.
What
Animals (Kingdom Animalia)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
While digging a soil bed to plant plantain I came across a very thin worm pale rose in color.It was about 2ft long.No eyes or segmentations were visible.It was very slow moving.
Photos / Sounds
What
Captain’s Wood Snake (Xylophis captaini)Observer
unnikrishnanDescription
I found the snake from the decaying stump of a coconut tree.And it is very common there at the Pampady region of Kottayam District of Kerala,India around the year.The locals call it 'KARIKILA THAPPI'[one which rummages under the dry leaves].Unfortunately I couldnot get a photo of it.But I brought a live specimen to a scientist Dr.Muhammad Jaffer Palot of Zoological Survey of India Kozhikkode.Then he identified it as Xylophis stenorhynchus.But now he says it may be X.captaini.Anyway Iam happy to make any arrangements for you to study it further. My Email address is unni.snake@yahoo.com