A Rainbow Water Snake was recently recorded for the first time in Uttar Pradesh, with photographic evidence obtained from the buffer area of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. This sighting highlights the rich and relatively under-documented herpetofaunal diversity of the Terai region.
About Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is located along the Indo–Nepal border in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh.
It was established in 1988 and covers a total area of 1,284 square kilometres.
The reserve comprises Dudhwa National Park and two adjoining wildlife sanctuaries—Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
Its buffer zone also includes forest areas of North Kheri, South Kheri, and Shahjahanpur forest divisions.
Topography and River System
The reserve represents a typical Terai–Bhabar ecosystem of the Upper Gangetic Plains biogeographic province.
Several rivers and streams flow through the reserve, all of which are tributaries of the Ghaghara River.
The Sharda River flows near Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, while the Geruwa River passes through Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Suheli and Mohana streams flow through Dudhwa National Park.
Vegetation and Flora
The vegetation type is classified as North Indian Moist Deciduous Forest, with some of the finest Sal (Shorea robusta) forests in India.
Associated tree species include Terminalia alata (Asna), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha), Adina cordifolia (Haldu), Mitragyna parviflora (Faldu), Gmelina arborea (Gahmar), and Holoptelea integrifolia (Kanju).
Fauna of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
The reserve supports a wide range of mammalian species such as tiger, leopard, swamp deer (barasingha), rhinoceros, chital, hog deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, and ratel (honey badger).
It is also a significant bird habitat, with around 400 bird species, including floricans and black-necked storks.
Rainbow Water Snake:
Scientific Classification
The Rainbow Water Snake’s scientific name is Enhydris enhydris.
Distribution
It is distributed across South and Southeast Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos.
Habitat
The species inhabits freshwater ecosystems such as marshlands, rural ponds, wetlands, and rice paddies.
Physical Features
The snake can grow up to 130 cm in length.
It is identified by two pale stripes running along the length of its body on either side of the vertebral line, which converge on the crown of the head.
Its body colour ranges from medium brown to greenish-brown, with the head and neck appearing more olive-toned.
The belly is pale, marked by a thin brown mid-ventral line.
Behaviour
The Rainbow Water Snake is slightly venomous and primarily fish-eating, posing little threat to humans.
Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Rainbow Water Snake is classified as Least Concern.