Discovery: Researchers identified a new species Tail-spot shieldtail, in the Meghamalai-Munnar hill region of the Western Ghats.
Discovery: Researchers identified a new species Tail-spot shieldtail, in the Meghamalai-Munnar hill region of the Western Ghats.
Study: Found within the Shola forests of the 'Sky Islands', these non-venomous snakes spend most of their lives underground.
Study: Found within the Shola forests of the 'Sky Islands', these non-venomous snakes spend most of their lives underground.
Taxonomy: This finding highlights the hidden biodiversity of the Western Ghats, a critical habitat for over 50% of India’s endemic reptile species.
Taxonomy: This finding highlights the hidden biodiversity of the Western Ghats, a critical habitat for over 50% of India’s endemic reptile species.
Unique Characteristics: Shieldtails are ancient, burrowing snakes of small size, cylindrical bodies, and distinctive short, shield-like tails evolved for tunneling through hard soils.
Unique Characteristics: Shieldtails are ancient, burrowing snakes of small size, cylindrical bodies, and distinctive short, shield-like tails evolved for tunneling through hard soils.
Behavior:Shieldtails exhibit unique defensive tactics, including coiling into balls and displaying their tails to deter predators.
Behavior:Shieldtails exhibit unique defensive tactics, including coiling into balls and displaying their tails to deter predators.
Life cycle:While feeding on earthworms, they emerge during the rainy season for breeding.
Life cycle:While feeding on earthworms, they emerge during the rainy season for breeding.
Diversity and Adaptations: With 65 known species globally and numerous in India, shieldtails continue to intrigue researchers due to their diverse adaptations and secretive lifestyles.
Diversity and Adaptations: With 65 known species globally and numerous in India, shieldtails continue to intrigue researchers due to their diverse adaptations and secretive lifestyles.
Conservation Concerns: The Western Ghats faces threats from invasive species like acacia and pine, posing challenges for preservation of these unique ecosystems.
Conservation Concerns: The Western Ghats faces threats from invasive species like acacia and pine, posing challenges for preservation of these unique ecosystems.
Community Engagement: The Shieldtail Mapping Project engages citizens in documenting and conserving these species, with of public involvement in biodiversity research.
Community Engagement: The Shieldtail Mapping Project engages citizens in documenting and conserving these species, with of public involvement in biodiversity research.