Researchers discover Green Cat Snake in Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 25 2024: For the record first time, three researchers from Manipur have recorded a Green Cat Snake (Boigacyanea) in the State.

A popular international Journal-Reptiles and Amphibians also published the first record of Green Cat Snakes in its recent publication.

When contacted, Nongthombam Hemeshwor, one of the researchers from Zoology Department at Manipur University, said that he had received an email (from the Journal authority) in this regard on August 14 this year.

"This is the first record of this species from Manipur", he said.

The other two researchers are Prof Naorem Mohilal Meitei of Zoology Department at Manipur University and Elangbam Premjit, secretary of Wildlife Explorers Manipur, an organisation dedicated to wildlife photography, conservation and research in the State.

The Green Cat snake, about 5 feet long and completely green in colour, is a nocturnal and arboreal rear-fanged, mildly venomous colubrid that feeds primarily on frogs, lizards, snakes and small rodents.

But the in- side part of the snake's buccal cavity is completely black.

The snake that camouflages with the branches of the tree, does not easily catch the eye of human beings.

The species is listed as Least Concern on the International Union Conservation Network Red List of Threatened Species 2022.The species is widely distributed in southern and south-eastern Asia (India, Bhutan, Nepal, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and China).

In India, it has been reported from Assam (2013), Mizoram (2011), Nagaland (2004), Nico- bar Islands (2021) and from Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and West Bengal (2023).Sharing the recording process, Homeshwor said that the rare species of snake was rescued from Ningthoukhong in Bishnupur district on April 18 last year.

The snake was measured, photographed and released in a nearby suitable habitat.

"A photographic voucher has been deposited in the University of Kansas Herpetology Digital Archive and the identity of the snake was confirmed by Vishal Santra, Society for Nature Conservation and Community Engagement (CONCERN)", he added.

In their acknowledgement, the researchers thanked the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Department of Forests, Government of Manipur, for issuing permits to carry out studies on snakes in the State and Vishal Santra (CONCERN) for confirming the identity of the snake.

They also thanked Jenishkumar Thingujam for processing & photographing the snake and Laishram Dijen for his help during the rescue of the snake.

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