Fri Apr 04 06:03:19 UTC 2025: ## Rare Long-Snouted Vine Snake Rediscovered in India
**Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, India** – A rare long-snouted vine snake (Ahaetulla longirostris) has been rediscovered in India’s Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, marking only the second recorded sighting in the country. The vibrant green snake was spotted on March 28th during a rhino release operation in the Palia Kheri division. Field biologist Vipin Kapoor Sainy and his team identified the species, which is more commonly found in Southeast Asia. The previous sighting was in Bihar and Odisha last year.
The discovery, made while clearing a termite mound, highlights the ecological richness of the reserve. After careful handling, the snake was released back into a nearby termite mound, with the original left undisturbed. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve officials hailed the rediscovery as a testament to their conservation efforts and a significant achievement for Indian wildlife. They plan to conduct further research on the species in the coming years, emphasizing the importance of habitat conservation, even down to seemingly insignificant features like termite mounds which provide crucial shelter for rare species.
First Piper 