24-07-2025
Reptiles and amphibians of the rainy season
Malabar Gliding Frog
South: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and southern Maharashtra
A frog that has webbed feet, builds nests of foam, can glide, and is found only in the Western Ghats? One of the most distinctive Indian amphibians, the Malabar Gliding Frog, can be found on trees alongside streams in the dense evergreen forests of the Western Ghats. It can be identified by its large bulging eyes, bright green colour and big size. During the monsoon, females make special foam nests on overhanging branches near streams and pools. When the tadpoles hatch, they dive into the water. These frogs can glide smoothly among the trees, covering the length of a bus during their glides!
Bombay Shieldtail
West: Maharashtra-Satara District, Konkan
Found in the northern part of the Western Ghats, this unassuming and secretive snake lives underground, eats earthworms and has a flat, pan-like tail. Found in the forests of the Sahyadri Mountains, it uses its distinctive shield-like tail — which gives it its name — to burrow underground and hunt its favourite prey: earthworms! With the monsoon being its breeding time, it is more active on the surface. With a beautiful black and white scale pattern, it confuses its predators by curling into a ball, leaving them unable to make head or tail of it.
Himalayan Rock Agama
North: Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh
A hardy lizard that turns a gorgeous blue during the breeding season, the Himalayan Rock Agama is not as famous as its relative, the 'Draco' Flying Lizard. No stranger to high altitudes, the agama survives the harsh Himalayan winter by hiding in crevices and rocks and 'slowing down' its body processes to reduce energy wastage. Once winter ends, it steps out to feast on the abundant insects and berries found in the warmth of the summer sun.
Cope's Assam Frog
East: Northeastern India
Named in honour of the American reptile scientist Cope, this small nocturnal forest-dwelling frog is an expert jumper, leaping up to at least 10 times its body length! It loves to eat insects and its body is a varying olive-green and dark brown in colour. The adults are found in thick vegetation or even in plantations, near water bodies. The male has a distinct rattling call like that of machine-gun fire. Its tadpoles are aquatic and expert swimmers found in pools and swamps.
