Common Name

King Cobra.

Scientific Name

Ophiophagus hannah.

Key Characteristics

Largest venomous snake in the world. Possesses 11 large scales on the crown of its head.

Diet

Preys almost exclusively on other snakes.

Behavior

Active both during the day and night. Builds nests and females guard them ferociously.

Venom

Neurotoxin venom causing respiratory arrest and cardiac failure. Venom from a single bite can kill 10 people or an elephant.

Taxonomic History

Named Ophiophagus hannah by Theodore Edward Cantor in 1836.

Geographical Distribution

Found in forests, fields, and villages across Asia.

Identified Species

• Ophiophagus kaalinga: Western Ghats of southwestern India; fewer than 40 bands.
• Ophiophagus hannah: Northern and eastern India, Andaman Islands, Pakistan, Indo-Burma, Indo-China, Thailand; 50 to 70 bands.
• Ophiophagus bungarus: Malay Peninsula, Greater Sunda Islands, southern Philippines; more than 70 bands.
• Ophiophagus salvatana: Luzon, northern Philippines; lacks bands.

Conservation Status

IUCN: Vulnerable

CITES: Appendix II

Threats

Habitat destruction, exploitation for skin, food, medicine, and pet trade.

Scientific Name

Senna tora (originally Cassia tora by Linnaeus).

Family and Subfamily

Fabaceae; Caesalpinioideae.

Common Names

Sickle senna, sickle wild sensitive plant, sickle pod, tora, coffee pod, foetid cassia.

Native Range

Central America.

Growth

Herbaceous annual; grows 30 to 90 cm tall.

Leaves

Pinnate with three opposite pairs of obovate leaflets; 3 to 4.5 cm long.

Flowers

Pale yellow; five petals; occur in pairs in leaf axils.

Pods

Sickle shaped; 10 to 15 cm long; contain 30 to 50 seeds.

Growing Conditions

Thrives in dry soil; stress tolerant; grows up to 1800 meters altitude; flowers from October to February after monsoon.

Pests

Affected by leaf eating larvae of Stegasta variana (in Vanuatu).

Uses

• Edible: Young leaves cooked as vegetables, seeds used as coffee substitute.
• Traditional medicine: Treats skin diseases, arthritis, leprosy, ringworm, psoriasis, snakebites.
• Industrial: Natural pesticide, pet food, mining applications.
• Beverage: Tea made from seeds, rejuvenates vision (Korea).

Medicinal Properties

External germicide, antiparasitic, laxative, balm for arthritis.

Lifespan

Seed remains viable for up to 20 years.

Location

Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu. Situated at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Name Meaning

Mudumalai means "ancient hill range," referring to its age of 65 million years, coinciding with the formation of the Western Ghats.

Boundaries

Shares boundaries with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) to the west and Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) to the north.

Tourist Attraction

The Theppakadu elephant camp is a popular destination.

Vegetation

Tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry teak forest, secondary grasslands, and swamps.

Flora

Tall grasses ("Elephant Grass"), giant bamboo, valuable timber species like teak and rosewood.

Fauna

Elephants, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Porcupine, and more.

Scientific Name

Tylototriton koliaensis.

Discovery

Found in Vietnam's mountainous farm.

Habitat

Mountain forests at elevations of 3,300 feet or more, with weather fluctuating between a colder dry season and a warmer rainy season.

Size and Appearance

Medium-sized, about 5 inches in length. Stout body with rough, knob-like or wart-like skin.

Large head, long and thin limbs. Completely black with bright orange marks on fingertips and toes.

Dark gray stomach with an orange stripe running down the center of the tail.

Breeding

Breeds during the rainy summer in slow-flowing streams or temporary pools.

Behavior

Hides under rocks and cavities during winter.

What is a Crocodile Newt?

A genus of salamanders primarily found in Asia.

Why the Name?

Named "crocodile newts" due to their rough, textured skin resembling crocodile hide.

General Features

Typically dark brown or black with bright orange or red markings on their head, back, and tail.

Habitat Preferences

Often live near slow-moving streams, ponds, or marshes where they lay eggs and find food.

Species Examples

• Tylototriton verrucosus (Himalayan crocodile newt)
• Tylototriton shanjing (Emperor newt)
• Tylototriton kweichowensis (Kweichow crocodile newt)

Region

Western Ghats (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Genus

Koima – A newly identified freshwater fish genus endemic to the Western Ghats.

Unique Traits

• Yellowish brown body with black spots along the lateral line.
• Hyaline fins.
• Absence of uniform dorsal banding.

Species Reclassified

• Mesonoemacheilus remadevii → Koima remadevii.
• Nemacheilus monilis → Koima monilis.

Habitat

• Koima remadevii: Kunthi River, Silent Valley National Park, Kerala (fast flowing streams with rocky substrates).
• Koima monilis: Cauvery River tributaries, 350 to 800 m elevation.

Research Approach

Integrative taxonomy combining morphological and genetic analyses from rivers like Kunthi, Bhavani, Moyar, Kabini, and Pambar.

Cultural Connection

Name derived from the Malayalam word for loaches, reflecting cultural significance.

Conservation Implications

Highlights the fragility of aquatic ecosystems in the Western Ghats; calls for conservation against threats like habitat destruction and climate change.

Importance of Study

• Reveals biodiversity through accurate taxonomy.
• Emphasizes need for revisiting freshwater fish classifications.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding Mudumalai Tiger Reserve:

1. It is located on the borders of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
2. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
3. The reserve is known for its population of Bengal tigers and elephants.
4. It was established as a national park before being designated as a tiger reserve.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2, and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.

Statement 2 is correct. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which includes other reserves like Bandipur and Wayanad.

Statement 3 is correct. The reserve is famous for housing Bengal tigers and elephants among other species.

Statement 4 is incorrect. Mudumalai was designated a tiger reserve in 2007, after being a sanctuary since 1940, but it was not first established as a national park.