Pit Vipers are most abundant during monsoon in Goa.

Rajendra P. Kerkar

The research done by three zoologists in five wildlife sanctuaries of Goa has revealed that three prominent species of Pit Vipers are most abundant during monsoon season.

The pit Vipers are crotalinae, a sub –family of venomous Vipers that are distinguished by the presence of a heat-sensing Pit organ located between the eye and the nostril on either side of head.

Dr. Nitin sawant and Trupti Jadhav the zoologists along with Dr. S. K. Shyama, the Associate professor of Goa university has investigated three species namely Hump-nosed pit vipers, Malabar pit Vipers and Bamboo pit Vipersin five Wildlife sanctuaries of Goa from 2005to 2009.

All the three pit Vipers species showed specific habitat preference and their abundance changed with season. They were most abundant during monsoon.

The research revealed that all the three species were distributed in Cotigao, Mhadei, Netravali, Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuaries and Mollem National Park barring Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary where Malabar pit viper and Hump-nosed pit vipers were not recorded.

Due to anthropogenic activities in and around the Bondla sanctuary, the human disturbances have affected the snakes. The three species remain highly camouflaged in their habitat and move very rarely exhibiting ambush behaviour. The abundance was highest in monsoon due to low temperatures, high humidity and rich prey base.

In summer and winter, they were found in areas having water bodies, in the cashew plantation and were restricted to patches near moist areas. Increasing mining activities and encroachment inside the forested areas has resulted in the habitat fragmentation of pit vipers.

The paired pit vipers organs are of great value to these snakes as they hunts at night as well as for avoiding their own predators. They have a specialized muscle.

All these three pit vipers are viviparous mean their females give birth to live young’s. They normally feed on birds, geckos, lizards and rodents. There are nine species of pit vipers found in India but only three species of pit vipersare recorded in Goa.

Malabar pit vipers are usually nocturnal but also seen by day in the monsoon. They are usually found on low bushes and trees. Often near stream edges. It is endemic to the Western Ghats.

The jungles of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary provide excellent habitat for these three species of pit vipers. However, various forces of disturbances are posing threat to their habitat.