Udaipur: Wildlife enthusiasts have successfully photographed the rare Laudankia Vine Snake (Ahaetulla laudankia) in Udaipur’s Ubeshwar wildlife area, marking the first documented sighting of the species in the region in nearly 30 years.The rare snake was photographed on July 12 by wildlife photographer Rohit Dwivedi under the guidance of wildlife experts Sharad Agrawal and Deepal Kalra. The species was last recorded in Udaipur about three decades ago by Dr Satish Sharma, a retired Rajasthan Forest Service officer and wildlife expert.The Laudankia Vine Snake, scientifically described in 2019, is endemic to India and belongs to the vine snake group. Its known range extends from the Eastern Ghats through Central India to eastern Rajasthan. Due to its extremely limited records in Rajasthan, it is considered a rare species in the state.The snake is distinguished by its slender, vine-like body, chestnut-brown colour with fine black speckles and pale white patches on the lower part of its head. It also has a long, pointed snout, large eyes and horizontal pupils. Adults generally measure between 80 cm and 1.5 metres in length.A diurnal and arboreal species, the snake inhabits dry deciduous forests, scrublands, hill slopes and other natural green habitats. Its diet mainly consists of lizards, geckos, small frogs and small birds.Although mildly venomous and rear-fanged, its venom is primarily effective against small prey and is not considered seriously dangerous to humans. Experts said the species is generally calm and attempts to hide when threatened.Dwivedi said, “wildlife photography aims not only to capture images of rare species but also to scientifically document them and promote awareness about biodiversity conservation.”He added that the Ubeshwar area is an important biodiversity hotspot in the Aravalli region, and the presence of such a rare species underscores its ecological significance.According to wildlife experts, authentic photographic records such as this play a crucial role in documenting local biodiversity, shaping conservation strategies and supporting future scientific research. Following expert verification, the sighting could become an important addition to records of snake diversity in the Udaipur region.
