Xylophis deepaki

Why in news?

• The species of snake has been named in honour of Indian herpetologist Deepak Veerappan.

About the snake:

• It is a tiny snake of just 20 cm length with iridescent scales - Xylophis deepaki.
• It was first discovered in a coconut plantation in Kanyakumari and is now reported to be an endemic species of Tamil Nadu.
• It has since been sighted in a few locations in the southern part of the Western Ghats.
• The species is named in honour of Indian herpetologist Deepak Veerappan for his contribution in erecting a new subfamily Xylophiinae to accommodate wood snakes.
• It is also referred to by a common name : Deepak’s wood snake.

Prelims Question:

Recently a snake called Xylophis Deepaki has been discovered in which region?
(a)Eastern Ghats
(b)Khasi hills
(c)Nicobar Islands
(d)Western ghats

Answer to Prelims question