Tuesday, 26 August 2014

Python bivittatus (Burmese python) - Sikkim Snake


Python bivittatus (Burmese python)

Venue: Burdang, Singtam,  East Sikkim

Date: June 24, 2014

Pic:
Python bivittatus (Burmese python)

Venue: Burdang, Singtam,  East Sikkim

Date: June 24, 2014

Pic:

In one of a rare instance, a dead python was recovered from the banks of River Teesta near ATTC College, Burdang. It was latter identifies as Burmese python (Python bivittatus).
According to the locals, the snake was 12 feet long and 1.6 m in circumference. It was later on handed over to OM Gurung, Block Officer, Wild Life Department of Fores, Rangpo Range.  
It should be noted that according to The Gazetter of Sikkim (1891), forest officials had arrested several persons for killing a 4 m. long Indian Python (Python moluru bivittatus) near Singtam. 

Scientific classification
Kingdom:            Animalia
Phylum:               Chordata
Class:                   Reptilia
Order:                  Squamata
Family:                Pythonidae
Genus:                 Python
Species:                P. bivittatus
Binomial name:    Python bivittatus (Kuhl, 1820)
Other Names: Burmese python
Special feature:  The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is one of the five largest snakes in the world, native to a large variation of tropic and subtropic areas of Southern- and Southeast Asia. Until 2009 they were considered a subspecies of Python molurus, but now are recognized as belonging to a distinct speciesThey are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees. Wild individuals average 3.7 metres (12 ft) long, but have been known to reach 5.74 metres (19 ft).  This python is an excellent swimmer and needs a permanent source of water. It can be found in grasslands, marshes, swamps, rocky foothills, woodlands, river valleys, and jungles with open clearings. They are good climbers and have prehensile tails.
Wild populations are considered to be "threatened" and are listed on Appendix II of CITES. IUCN has recently listed the Burmese python as "Vulnerable", reflecting its overall population decline. Important reasons for the decline are trade for skins and for food; habitat degradation may be a problem in some upland areas. In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cap 170. (Wikipedia)
  
When compared with Indian Rock Python : 
 by Vivek Sharma    (ReptileIndia)
Burmese Pythons have side patches (on flank) more defined and much larger than those found in Indian Rock Python. In Indian Rock Python they are very small and usually not much significant to discuss. Additionally Burmese Python has much less or no yellow-brown amounts on body while in Indian Rock Python you can find these two colors have much significance.

Thursday, 21 August 2014

Loepa katinka (Golden Emperor moth - male) - Sikkim Moth

Loepa katinka (Golden Emperor moth)

Place : Shantinagar, Singtam, East Sikkim,
Date:July 16, 2014
Pic: Shital Pradhan



Scientific classification

Kingdom:            Animalia
Phylum:               Arthropoda
Class:                   Insecta
Order:                  Lepidoptera
Family:                 Saturniidae
Genus:                  Loepa
Species:                L.katinka
Binomial name:    Loepa katinka (Westwood, 1848)


Other Names: Golden Emperor moth


Special feature: The Golden Emperor moth (Loepa katinka) is a species of moth found in Southeast Asia and South Asia. This is one of the bigger moth and is mostly found during monsoon.

The male moth is recognized by bushy, feathered antennae and angular forewings. Adult moths have primitive mouthparts and do not feed. The caterpillars are a striking dark brown color with yellow triangles along each side and metallic blue protrusions along the dorsal surface. They feed on vines until they are ready to spin their wild silk cocoons. Cultivating silk moths for fabric production has a long history starting in 2700 B.C. with the Chinese. They kept their secret until 300 AD, when their techniques spread to Korea and Japan (http://www.insects.org).


They have a short adult life, less than a week and it feeds on food that had been stored during there caterpillar days.

Saturday, 12 July 2014

Zephyranthes candida (white rain lily) - Sikkim Flora

Zephyranthes candida (white rain lily)
Place : Science Cantre, Marchak, Ranipool, East Sikkim
Date: May 25, 2014
Pic: Shital Pradhan



Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Plantae
Phylum:          Angiosperms
Class:             
Order:            Asparagales
Family:           Amaryllidaceae
Genus:            Zephyranthes
Species:           Z. candida

Binomial name: Zephyranthes candida (Lindl.) Herb.

Other Names:  August rain lily, white zephyr lily, Peruvian swamp-lily, white fairy lily, and autumn zephyr lily.

Special feature: It is a species of rain lily native to South America including Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil.

Zephyranthes candida was first described by John Lindley in 1823 as Amaryllis candida. It was transferred to its current genus in 1826 by William Herbert. (Source: Wikipedia)