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herpetALLogy

@herpetALLogy

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A thread about some of the fascinating #herps I have come across during my field work and some cool herps I want to see. #IndianHerps

India is super diverse in terms of biodiversity! We have about 600 sp. of reptiles & 400 sp. of amphibians 50% of both which are endemic! Most of these haven't been studied in detail but much advances have been made in the fields of taxonomy & ecology.

I have been fortunate to have worked in the plains of north India, arid regions of Gujarat, southern Western Ghats in Kerala and northern Western Ghats in Maharashtra. Western Ghats are one of the hottest biodiversity hotspots of the world.

I started my journey from Kerala. Southern Western Ghats are one of the most beautiful forests in India, especially for herps! Check out some of the frogs I have met during this journey.

Majority of the frogs I encountered were Western Ghats endemics. Check out the femoral glands of this Wrinkled night frog (Nyctibatrachus major).

Some reptiles! I am yet to publish the results as I will have to re-do analysis. Targetting 2019 for that!

Moving on to arid region of Gujarat. This region was a complete change from rainforests. Even though I am from this state, it took me a while to adjust after working in rainforests! The diversity was much less than the Western Ghats. Yet check out some cool herps from here!

Deviating a bit from herps. Gujarat is a birding hotspot. We have encountered 100s of cranes in agricultural fields while doing field work. A mixed flock of Common and Demoiselle cranes

Working in the plains of north India is different experience in itself. This region is one of the most heavily populated regions in the country. Herps of this region are understudied. Uttar Pradesh has 15 of the 24 freshwater turtles and tortoises of India.

Some of the most beautiful turtles and croc sightings I had, were from here.

@Herpomania

@Herpomania

Crocs in the river Chambal. One of the cleanest rivers of the country eventually goes on to meet the river Yamuna, one of the most polluted rivers of the country. I have written a piece on my experience here: snehadharwadkar.wordpress.com/2016/08/11/tur… via @Herpomania

Bonus: Chambal river is one of the best places to watch Gangetic dolphins.
Bonus 2: This is also the best place to watch Indian Skimmers!

Currently, I am working on a manuscript of our work in northern Western Ghats. Here are some of the finds from Western Ghats of Maharashtra. All photos are of my friend Chris Bednarski from Houston Zoo.