A species of wood snake (Xylophis indicus) that wasn’t seen for 140 years has reappeared in a survey conducted by scientists in the Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamilnadu.
The species is endemic to the Meghamalai forests and the Periyar Tiger Reserve landscape.
The local population of wood snakes was last spotted and recorded by British military officer and naturalist Colonel Richard Henry Beddome in 1878.