Why in News?
A rare sighting of the Common bronzeback tree snake (Dendrelaphis tristis) occurred in the Belrayan range of Uttar Pradeshโs Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Rangers and herpetologists documented the nonโvenomous tree snake, highlighting the reserveโs biodiversity and raising awareness about lesserโknown reptiles.
Background
The Common bronzeback is a slender, fastโmoving snake found across South and Southeast Asia. The head is elongated and flat with large eyes, and the body exhibits a bronzeโcoloured stripe along the back. Its underbody is yellowishโwhite or pale cream. The species is diurnal and arboreal, spending most of its time in trees and shrubs. It feeds on geckos, small birds and frogs, and reproduces by laying clutches of eggs in tree hollows.
Morphology and Ecology
- Appearance โ Adults can reach up to 1.5 metres in length. The dorsal surface is greyโbrown with a metallic bronze band; the thin tail tapers sharply.
- Distribution โ The snake occurs from Sri Lanka through India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Pakistan, with records extending into Southeast Asia. It inhabits dry and moist forests, gardens and plantations, adapting well to humanโaltered landscapes.
- Behaviour โ This species is nonโvenomous and poses little threat to humans. It is active during the day, using its agility to escape predators. Females lay 6โ7 eggs between September and February.
- Conservation status โ Classified as โLeast Concernโ by the IUCN due to its wide distribution and stable population. However, habitat loss and killings due to misidentification remain concerns.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Context
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, located in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, comprises Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. Covering over 1,284 kmยฒ along the Indoโโ โ โ โ โ Nepal border, it hosts a mosaic of sal forests, grasslands and wetlands. Besides tigers, the reserve supports leopards, Asiatic black bears, swamp deer, oneโhorned rhinoceros and a rich bird diversity. The sighting of the bronzeback underscores the importance of protecting forested corridors within the reserve.
Conclusion
The rare documentation of the Common bronzeback in Dudhwa highlights the hidden biodiversity of Indiaโs protected areas. Nonโvenomous snakes play important roles in controlling rodent and insect populations. Public awareness campaigns should educate local communities to avoid killing harmless snakes. Maintaining forest connectivity and reducing habitat degradation will ensure that arboreal reptiles like the bronzeback continue to thrive.