Alipore Zoological Garden, Kolkata

Zoological Garden, Alipore, Kolkata

Zoo Reptiles


GHARIAL

Scientific name : Gavialis gangeticus
  • DISTRIBUTION : Indian subcontinent
  • HABITAT : Found in the calmer, deep areas of fast-flowing rivers.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : The distinctive narrow snout of the gharial is a superb adaptation for catching prey underwater. By providing very little resistance to water, it enables the gharial to whip its head sideways through the water to snatch fish with its small, razor-sharp teeth. Adults feed primarily on fish, juvenile gharials sustain themselves on a vast array of invertebrates.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live fish
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 5 - 6 m male, 3.5 - 4.5 m female.
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 160 - 250 kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - Dark or light olive above with dark cross-bands
  • LIFE-SPAN : 25 - 30 years
  • THREAT : Hunting, habitat loss and human exploitation
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Critically endangered

RUSSELLS VIPER

Scientific name : Daboia russelii
  • DISTRIBUTION : Indian Subcontinent
  • HABITAT : The snake is mostly found in open grassy or bushy areas but may also be found in second growth forests on forested plantations and farmland. It is most common in plains coastal lowlands and hills of suitable habitat.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : Terrestrial nocturnal forager. Adults are reported to be slow and sluggish unless pushed beyond a certain limit after which they can become very aggressive. Juveniles though are generally more nervous. When threatened produce a hiss that is supposedly louder than that of any other snake. It is one of a number of viperines that are apparently able to react to thermal cues. Juveniles are known to be cannibalistic Feeds primarily on rodents especially murid species. Rats mice shrews squirrels lizards land crabs scorpions and other arthropods.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Rats
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 4 ft 1 inch or 124 cm
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 0
    3. BODY COLOUR - Dorsally the colour pattern consists of a deep yellow tan or brown ground colour with three series of dark brown spots that run the length of the body. Each of these spots has a black ring around it the outer border of which is intensified with a rim of white or yellow. Ventral part is white yellowish or pinkish often with an irregular scattering of dark spots.
  • LIFE-SPAN : 10 to 15 years
  • THREAT : Habitat loss Exploitation poaching for its venom pet skin trade.
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Not Listed IUCN Appendix III CITES Schedule II WPA 1972

SALTWATER CROCODILE

Scientific name : Crocodylus porosus
  • DISTRIBUTION : Indian subcontinent
  • HABITAT : Inhabits saline and brackish mangrove swamps estuaries deltas lagoons and lower stretches of rivers.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : Saltwater crocodiles use ocean currents to travel long distances. They are more territorial and are less tolerant of their own kind adult males will share territory with females but drive off rival males. Feeds on fish snakes turtles birds and mammals.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Fish
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 4.3 TO 4.9 m male. 2.7 TO 3.1 m female.
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 400 - 530kg male 76 to 103kg female
    3. BODY COLOUR - Darker greenish drab with lighter tan or grey areas
  • LIFE-SPAN : 70 years
  • THREAT : Hunting habitat loss and human exploitation
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Least concern IUCN ver 2.3 Appendix I CITES Schedule I WPA 1972

INDIAN RAT SNAKE

Scientific name : Ptyas mucosa
  • DISTRIBUTION : Indian subcontinent
  • HABITAT : Found in the forest floors large tree rice paddies farmland and suburban areas.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : It is a non venomous and very fast moving excitable snake. In captivity individuals remain highly territorial. They are diurnal and semi arboreal.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Frog
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 1.2 to 1.8m
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 700 to 900gm
    3. BODY COLOUR - Brown above with more or less distinct black cross bands
  • LIFE-SPAN : 6 to 8 years
  • THREAT : Hunting and human exploitation
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Not Listed IUCN Not Listed CITES Schedule II WPA 1972

GOLDEN TREE SNAKE

Scientific name : Chrysopelea ornata
  • DISTRIBUTION : Indian subcontinent
  • HABITAT : Found in the calmer, deep areas of fast-flowing rivers.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : It is mildly venomous, diurnal and arboreal snake. They are excellent climbers and attempt to flee if disturbed. Lizard, bat, small rodents.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Lizard
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 11.5 - 130 cm
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 200 - 300 gm
    3. BODY COLOUR - Green coloured with black cross-hatching and yellow or gold coloured accent
  • LIFE-SPAN : 5-7 years
  • THREAT : Habitat loss and human exploitation
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Not Listed

VINE SNAKE

Scientific name : Ahaetulla nasuta
  • DISTRIBUTION : India Sri Lanka Bangladesh Mayanmar Thailand Cambodia and Vietnam.
  • HABITAT : Found both in hills and plains. Lives in variety of forests including mixed dry and moist deciduous forests. Hides in dense green vegetation of low height.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : They are diurnal and mildly venomous. Arboreal in nature and has binocular vision. They are slow moving relying on camouflaging as a vine in foliage. Feeds on variety of prey including lizards birds frogs other snakes including venomous ones rodents etc.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Lizards.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 59 to 79 inch
    2. BODY WEIGHT- unknown
    3. BODY COLOUR - Bright green on the upper part of the body and yellowish green on the bottom part.
  • LIFE-SPAN : 9 to 15 years.
  • THREAT : Threats includes killing due to confusion misidentification with venomous species and usually due to myths. More threats are loss of dense vegetation low height plantation road kills etc.
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : The species is not classified as an endangered species.

ALDABRA GIANT TORTOISE

Scientific name : Aldabrachelys gigantea
  • DISTRIBUTION : Islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles
  • HABITAT : Usually found in areas of dense, low-lying vegetation and more sparse, rocky regions when food is in short supply.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : Found both individually and in herds, which tend to gather mostly on open grasslands and is generally most active in the mornings when they spend the most time browsing for food, before the temperature gets too high. Grasses, leaves, and woody plant stems
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Mixtures of vegetables and fruits
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 90 - 120 cm
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 150 - 250 kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - Black, Brown or Tan with high dome shaped carapace
  • LIFE-SPAN : 80 - 255 years
  • THREAT : Habitat loss and hunting.
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Vulnerable

MARSH CROCODILE / MUGGER

Scientific name : Crocodylus palustris
  • DISTRIBUTION : Indian subcontinent
  • HABITAT : Inhabits freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, reservoirs, irrigation canals, human-made ponds.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : Highly social species that communicates through visual and audible signals has a dominance hierarchy and exhibits territoriality. Males thrash their tails and lift their snouts to establish territories and gain dominance before courtship and mating. They are carnivore; feeds on fish, snakes, turtles, birds and mammals.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Fish
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 4 - 5 m
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 450 - 500 kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - Grey to brown with black spots
  • LIFE-SPAN : 20 - 40 years
  • THREAT : Hunting, habitat loss and human exploitation
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Vulnerable

SPECTACLED COBRA

Scientific name : Naja naja
  • DISTRIBUTION : India Pakistan Bangladesh Sri Lanka Nepal.
  • HABITAT : Lives in rainforest mixed moist and dry deciduous forests grassland wetland desert etc. agricultural lands city outskirts around wetlands rocky terrain having mounds and deep hiding places old woods etc.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : Nocturnal species but crepuscular behaviour is mostly shown. Terrestrial and climber alert and aggressive on provocation raise its famous hood and hiss loudly to give warnings.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Frog
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 3.3 to 4.9 ft
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 80 to 90kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - The ventral scales or the underside colouration of this species can be grey yellow tan brown reddish or black. Dorsal scales of the Indian cobra may have a hood mark or colour patterns. Hood mark is located at the rear of the Indian cobras hood two circular ocelli patterns connected by a curved line, evoking the image of spectacles.
  • LIFE-SPAN : 22 to 24 years
  • THREAT : Exploited by Indian Snake charmers and killing due to its venom potency skin trade food Chinese medicine.
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Not listed IUCN Appendix II CITES Schedule II WPA 1972

MONOCLED COBRA

Scientific name : Naja kaouthia
  • DISTRIBUTION : Native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, found in China, India, Vietnam, Nepal, and Cambodia, but also Malaysia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand.
  • HABITAT : They prefer habitats associated with water, such as paddy fields, swamps, and mangroves, but can also be found in grasslands, scrublands, and forests. The species also occurs in agricultural land and human settlements including cities.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : Monocled cobras are terrestrial and most active at dusk. In rice-fields, they hide in rodent burrows. When threatened they will raise the anterior portions of their bodies, spread their hood, usually hiss loudly, and strike in an attempt to bite and defend themselves. Some populations of the monocled cobra have the ability to spit venom. Juveniles feed mostly on amphibians whereas adults prey on small mammals, snakes and fish.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Frogs, Rats.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 150 cm
    2. BODY WEIGHT- About 6 kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - Shows wide range of colors including dark Yellow, light or dark brown, reddish-brown, black with reddish or grayish ting etc. Bands present in most of the specimens and have contrasting color with main dorsal color. Belly color can also range from milky white or white mixed with yellow, gray, brown etc. Sometimes dark colored patches also present. When angered, it stretches hood to show the rounded hood mark. Hood mark design may be in the form of complete rounded spot like eye or moon, may be open from top like Spectacled Cobra or can join with edge of the hood.
  • LIFE-SPAN : 15 - 20 years
  • THREAT : Habitat loss, pollution and poisoning in agricultural lands and Exploitation, poaching for its venom, pet & skin trade.
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Least Concern

CHECKERED KEELBACK

Scientific name : Xenochrophis piscator
  • DISTRIBUTION : Indian subcontinent
  • HABITAT : Found in freshwater lakes and rivers
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : It is a non venomous snake that remains active mainly in early morning and evening. It expresses alertness and aggression by inflating its fore body to show false hood. Locomotion is very fast and jumpy. Small fish and water frog
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Frog
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 90 - 120 cm
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 500 - 700 gm
    3. BODY COLOUR - Blackish patched dorsal surface on brown, greenish or yellow ground colour
  • LIFE-SPAN : 6 - 8 years
  • THREAT : Hunting and exploitation.
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Not Listed

WATER MONITOR

Scientific name : Varanus salvator
  • DISTRIBUTION : South and Southeast Asia
  • HABITAT : Found in river lakes mangrove swamps canals and beaches
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : Defend themselves using their tails claws and jaws excellent swimmers.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Chicken and small fishes
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 1.5 to 2 m
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 18 to 20kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - Dark green or black with golden yellow spots
  • LIFE-SPAN : 12 to 20 years
  • THREAT : unting habitat loss and human exploitation
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Least concern IUCN ver 3.1 Appendix II CITES Schedule I WPA1972

BANDED KRAIT

Scientific name : Bungarus fasciatus
  • DISTRIBUTION : It has been recorded eastwards from central India through Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China, Philippines to Malaysia, Indonesian islands, Singapore. In India, it has been recorded from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Northeast India, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
  • HABITAT : Banded kraits may be seen in a variety of habitats, ranging from forests to agricultural lands. They inhabit termite mounds and rodent holes close to water, and often live near human settlement, especially villages, because of their supply of rodents and water.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : Banded kraits are shy, not typically seen, and are mainly nocturnal. When harassed, they will usually hide their heads under their coils, and do not generally attempt to bite, though at night they are much more active and widely considered to be more dangerous then. During the day, they lie up in grass, pits, or drains. They are most commonly seen in the rains. The banded krait feeds mainly on other snakes, but is also known to eat fish, frogs, skinks, and snake eggs.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live snakes mainly Keelbacks
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 150 cm
    2. BODY WEIGHT- About 3 Kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - Body triangular with alternate yellow, yellowish-brown and black broad bands of almost the same breadth.
  • LIFE-SPAN : 9-10 Years on an average
  • THREAT : Poaching for pet, skin, and venom for medical purposes. Habitat Loss or pollution in wetlands and wet grasslands is another cause of its population decline.
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Least Concern

RETICULATED PYTHON

Scientific name : Malayopython reticulatus
  • DISTRIBUTION : Reticulated pythons are found in South Asia from the Nicobar Islands India Pakistan Bangladesh Burma Thailand Laos Cambodia Vietnam Malaysia and Singapore east through Indonesia and the Indo Australian Archipelago and the Philippines.
  • HABITAT : The reticulated python lives in rain forests woodlands and nearby grasslands. It is also associated with rivers and is found in areas with nearby streams and lakes.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : They are nonvenomous constrictors Locomotion is rectilinear and excellent swimmer. Reticulated Pythons are primarily ambush hunters usually waiting until prey wanders within strike range before seizing it in their coils and killing by constriction.These animals are carnivorous. Feeds on Mammals Chickens and other birds.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Chickens
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 16 to 22 ft
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 140 to 160kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - The colour pattern is a complex geometric pattern that incorporats different colours. The colour include olive green black white and gold. The back typically has a series of irregular diamond shapes flanked by smaller markings with light centres.
  • LIFE-SPAN : 15 to 20 years.
  • THREAT : Habitat loss illegal trade and human exploitation
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Not Leasted IUCN Appendix II CITES Schedule I WPA 1972

INDIAN ROCK PYTHON

Scientific name : Python molurus
  • DISTRIBUTION : Indian subcontinent
  • HABITAT : Found in grasslands, swamps, rocky foothills, woodlands.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : It is a non venomous snake, lethargic and slow moving even in its natural habitat, they exhibit timidity and rarely try to attack. Locomotion is rectilinear and excellent swimmer.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live chicken, Rat
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 12 - 18 ft
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 80 - 90 kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - Dark brown or black with irregular patches in dorsal side and whitish or yellow in ventral side. Head pinkish brown.
  • LIFE-SPAN : 16 years
  • THREAT : Habitat loss, illegal trade and human exploitation
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Vulnerable

BURMESE PYTHON

Scientific name : Python bivittatus Kuhl
  • DISTRIBUTION : Burmese pythons are found throughout Southern and Southeast Asia, including eastern India, Nepal, western Bhutan, southeastern Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, northern continental Malaysia, far southern China and in Indonesia on Java, southern Sulawesi, Bali, and Sumbawa.
  • HABITAT : These pythons need a permanent source of water. They can be found in grasslands, marshes, swamps, rocky foothills, woodlands, river valleys, and jungles with open clearings.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : Burmese pythons are mainly nocturnal rainforest dwellers. They are good climbers and have prehensile tails. When young, they are equally at home on the ground and in trees, but as they gain girth, they tend to restrict most of their movements to the ground. They are also excellent swimmers, being able to stay submerged for up to half an hour. Burmese pythons spend the majority of their time hidden in the underbrush.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Chicken
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 3.7 m, 12 ft 2 in on average
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 85 – 90 kg on an average
    3. BODY COLOUR - Dorsal surface full of irregular shaped patches of dark grayish-brown or blackish colour in three series top series of blotches larger than blotches found on flank which are bordered by black. Ground dorsal colour off-white or yellow, gray or light brown. Ventral scales much narrower than typical snakes. Color whitish or yellow with dark colour patches mostly near the edge.
  • LIFE-SPAN : 20 – 24 years
  • THREAT : Habitat loss and Poaching for pet, skin, edible and medicinal purposes.
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Vulnerable

YELLOW MONITOR

Scientific name : Varanus flavescens
  • DISTRIBUTION : Indian subcontinent
  • HABITAT : Prefers wet areas edge of the forest and near to human settlements.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : It is a carnivorous lizard and less adapted to climb on trees due to its short hind toes. They separate the habitat with sympatric Varanus bengalensis as former prefers wet areas with high ground cover and later prefers the areas with large trees.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Frog Chicken
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 80 to 120 cm
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 1 to 1.5kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - Olive or yellowish brown with irregular dark brown cross bars.
  • LIFE-SPAN : 10 to 20 years
  • THREAT : Hunting habitat loss and human exploitation
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Least concern IUCN ver 2.3 Appendix I CITES Schedule I WPA 1972

INDIAN STAR TORTOISE

Scientific name : Geochelone elegans
  • DISTRIBUTION : Indian sub-continent
  • HABITAT : Found in semi-arid scrub forest, along with thorny and grassland habitats.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : The attractive star-like patterns on the shell of the Indian star tortoise actually help the tortoise to blend into its surroundings more easily, as well as looking very pretty. Distinctively marked shell of the Indian star tortoise breaks up the hard line of its shell when it is grazing, making this reptile not so obvious to passing predators. Mainly herbivorous, feeds on grasses, leaves, fruits.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Mixture of vegetables
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 20 - 30 cm
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 1.2 - 2.2 kg
    3. BODY COLOUR - Combination of Green, Black, Tan, Yellow with star marked carapace
  • LIFE-SPAN : 30-80 years
  • THREAT : Habitat loss and introduction of predators to their natural habitat
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Vulnerable

YELLOW ANACONDA

Scientific name : Eunectes notaeus Cope 1862
  • DISTRIBUTION : South America
  • HABITAT : They live in swamps marshes and slow-moving streams mainly in the tropical rain forests of the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : Anacondas mostly hunt at night. Anacondas kill by constricting squeezing the prey until it can no longer breathe. Sometimes they drown the prey. Like all snakes they swallow the prey whole head first. From March to May these giant boa constrictors abandon their hermit ways and spend weeks months even in courtship and mating. When mating is finished thome ranges. The impregnated females are ovoviviparous and incubate their eggs. eat pigs deer caiman a type of crocodilian birds fish rodentslike the capybara and agouti and other animals. After eating a large animal the anaconda needs no food for a long time and rests for weekse males of both species return to their h
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : White rats
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 3.3- 4.4 m
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 25 - 35 kg.
    3. BODY COLOUR - The colour pattern consists of a yellow golden-tan or greenish yellow ground colour overlaid with a series of black or dark brown saddles blotches spots and streaks.
  • LIFE-SPAN : About 30 years in captivity.
  • THREAT : Habitat destruction trade.
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : No

TOKAY GECKO

Scientific name : Gekko gecko
  • DISTRIBUTION : Found in Northeast India Bhutan Nepal and Bangladesh throughout Southeast Asia including the Philippines and Indonesia and to the western New Guinea
  • HABITAT : Its native habitat is rainforest where it lives on trees and cliffs.
  • BEHAVIOUR AND FOOD HABIT : They are solitary creatures. They only encounter the opposite sex during the breeding season. Territorial species. Calls of the Tokay Gecko are used for communication finding members of the opposite sex during the breeding season and as a means of defence. Tokay Geckoes are nocturnal creatures. They are mainly insectivorous feeds on different types of insects such as springtails mealworms cockroaches crickets grasshoppers pink mice and locusts.
  • FOOD SERVED HERE : Live Cockroaches.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION :
    1. BODY LENGTH- 30 to 40 cm
    2. BODY WEIGHT- 150 to 400 g
    3. BODY COLOUR - Blue grey orange spotted skin
  • LIFE-SPAN : 10 to 20 years in captivity
  • THREAT : Hunting and human exploitation
  • CONSERVATION STATUS : Not Evaluated IUCN not listed in CITES Schedule IV WPA 1972.

Zoological Garden, Kolkata

  •   2 No. Alipore Road
  •   Kolkata 700 027, West Bengal, India
  •   +91 33 2479 1150 / +91 33 2439 9391
  •   +91 33 2479 1585 (Fax)
  •   director@kolkatazoo.in

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