Distribution and abundance of pit vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae) along the Western Ghats of Goa, India

The distribution and abundance of pit vipers in the Western Ghats namely Trimeresurus gramineus (Bamboo Pit Viper), T. malabaricus (Malabar Pit Viper) and Hypnale hypnale (Hump-nosed Pit Viper) was investigated in five wildlife sanctuaries of Goa from 2005 to 2009. Seasonal day-night data was colle...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: N.S. Sawant, T.D. Jadhav, S.K. Shyama
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society 2010-09-01
Series:Journal of Threatened Taxa
Online Access:http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/544
Description
Summary:The distribution and abundance of pit vipers in the Western Ghats namely Trimeresurus gramineus (Bamboo Pit Viper), T. malabaricus (Malabar Pit Viper) and Hypnale hypnale (Hump-nosed Pit Viper) was investigated in five wildlife sanctuaries of Goa from 2005 to 2009. Seasonal day-night data was collected based on band transect methods. All the pit viper species showed specific habitat preferences and their abundance changed with season. They were most abundant during monsoon. H. hypnale extended its range to the adjoining cashew plantations during the post monsoon and winter.
ISSN:0974-7893
0974-7907