Sixty-seven species of amphibians and 76 species of reptiles were documented in the first phase survey of amphibians and reptiles at the Shendurney wildlife sanctuary in the Agasthyamala biosphere. Though separate surveys of amphibians and reptiles have been conducted many times earlier, this is the first time that a team comprising researchers, students, and nature observers camped in different parts of the wildlife sanctuary for four days from July 17 to 20 to conduct the survey.
Organised by the Forest department, Shendurney wildlife sanctuary, and the Aranyakam Nature Foundation, the survey saw the participation of nearly 10 educational and research institutions, including the University of Calicut and Kerala Forest Research Institute; 30-odd volunteers from organisations such as the Malabar Nature History Society and the Ecological Conservation Society; and an equal number of forest guards.
The survey, which included all ecosystems in the protected area that spans 173 sq km, recorded rare Western Ghat species such as Manohari bush frog, Chalazodes reed bush frog, Beddome’s toad, keeled vine snake, and the orange-lipped lizard that are found only in the Agasthyamala biosphere.
Endemic species
The survey found 18 amphibian and 28 reptile species that had not been recorded in the biosphere management plan or previous surveys. Fifty-five of the 67 species of amphibians such as Manohari bush frog, spotted leaping frog, Beddome’s toad, Mallan’s torrent frog, and Kani bush frog are endemic to the Ghats. The survey recorded 32 species including galaxy frog, Chalazodes reed bush frog, and small bush frog that fall in the threatened category, according to the IUCN Red List.
Shendurney was ahead of other sanctuaries in amphibian diversity and diversity of indigenous species, Sandeep Das, researcher, said. Thirty-eight of the 76 reptile species too are endemic to the Ghats. Thirteen of them are on the IUCN Red List for vulnerable, endangered, and near threatened species.
The Cochin cane turtle and the Indian kangaroo lizard are in the endangered category and the Travancore tortoise in the vulnerable category. The Travancore Cat Snake, keeled vine snake, Travancore voine snake, and the Travancore pit viper were recorded in multiple camps during the survey.
Shendurney wildlife warden S. Heeralal; assistant wildlife warden Saju T.S.; researchers Sandeep Das and Nithin Divakar; Aranyakam managing trustee Dhruvaraj S. led the survey.
Published – July 26, 2026 06:09 pm IST
