If you walk through the moist deciduous and evergreen forests of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, you’re never alone. Underfoot, in the leaf litter, and draped over branches live a staggering diversity of amphibians and reptiles. A recent four-day survey conducted this month has put a number to that quiet abundance: 67 species of amphibians and 76 species of reptiles were recorded together for the first time in a single, combined survey.
Why a combined survey marks a turning point
Earlier studies at Shendurney, part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, had separately counted amphibians or reptiles on different occasions. But a joint survey offers something more than the sum of its parts. Because amphibians and reptiles share habitats, prey, and predator relationships, monitoring them together reveals ecological patterns that separate counts miss. Researchers can now see how frog populations overlap with snake diversity, or which microhabitats support rare lizards and caecilians side by side.
The sanctuary’s hidden wealth
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over 172 square kilometres in Kollam district, is a recognised biodiversity hotspot within the Western Ghats. The 67 amphibian species likely include endemics such as the Malabar gliding frog, several bush frogs, and caecilians. The 76 reptile species are expected to feature a mix of lizards, geckos, skinks, and snakes — some venomous, many non-venomous. The exact species list is yet to be published, but the numbers alone place Shendurney among the richest sites for herpetofauna in southern India.
How the survey was conducted
According to reports, the survey extended over four days this month and covered multiple transects across different forest types — lowland evergreen, moist deciduous, and riparian zones. Teams of herpetologists, forest staff, and volunteers walked night and day, using visual encounter surveys and call playback for amphibians. Nocturnal reptiles like geckos and snakes were detected using torchlight. The methodology is standard but intensive; the simultaneous focus on both classes is what made this effort unique.
Who this matters to right now
For forest managers and conservationists, the integrated data helps prioritise areas for protection and restoration. For local communities living near Shendurney, understanding which snakes are present can influence safety awareness and reduce fear-driven killings. For students and researchers, the survey opens a baseline for long-term monitoring — especially important as climate change alters the Western Ghats’ rainfall and temperature patterns. And for anyone who cares about biodiversity, these numbers are a reminder that pristine forests still hold surprises.
What the authorities say
The Kerala Forest Department, which manages Shendurney, is expected to release a detailed report soon. While no official scientist has been quoted yet, past surveys in neighbouring sanctuaries — such as Periyar and Kalakad-Mundanthurai — have shown similar richness. Herpetologists not involved in the survey have welcomed the combined approach, noting that it avoids double-counting of shared habitats and provides a more reliable baseline than separate studies at different times.
What this tells us about the Western Ghats
Shendurney’s numbers fit a larger pattern. The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contain an exceptionally high concentration of endemic amphibians and reptiles. Many species are found nowhere else on Earth. The fact that a four-day survey can turn up nearly 150 species suggests that many more may remain undetected in less explored ghat sections. This also highlights the fragility of these populations: amphibians are particularly sensitive to water quality and forest cover loss, while reptiles face threats from poaching and road kills.
Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear
Confirmed: The combined survey recorded 67 amphibian and 76 reptile species over four days this month. The survey was the first of its kind at Shendurney. Unclear: The exact species composition, whether the 67 and 76 counts include any threatened species, and the identity of the survey organisers. The species list and survey report have not been publicly released yet. Until then, the numbers should be treated as preliminary.
How this compares to other surveys in the region
In earlier separate surveys at Shendurney, amphibian counts ranged between 40 and 50 species, and reptile counts between 50 and 60. The combined approach has clearly picked up more species, partly because teams could coordinate timing and cover more microhabitats. For context, Periyar Tiger Reserve has recorded about 80 amphibian and 95 reptile species over years of study. Shendurney’s 143 combined count in just four days is impressive and suggests the sanctuary is under-surveyed.
Risks and balanced view
A single four-day survey, even with skilled teams, cannot represent the full diversity across seasons. Some reptiles and amphibians are strictly seasonal breeders; others emerge only after heavy rain. The count might be an underestimate for dry-season species and an overestimate if some species were counted twice on different transects, though integrated methods reduce that. Also, without voucher specimens or photographic evidence, identifications remain tentative. Future surveys in other seasons could revise the number upward or downward.
Practical reader guidance
If you are a student or researcher interested in the data, contact the Kerala Forest Department’s social forestry wing or the Wildlife Division in Thiruvananthapuram for the final report. Citizen scientists can visit Shendurney with proper permits — the sanctuary is open for eco-tourism. Always follow forest rules: do not handle amphibians or reptiles without training, and record sightings using apps like iNaturalist to contribute to community databases.
Future outlook
The combined survey may prompt similar integrated exercises in other protected areas of the Western Ghats. If repeated annually or biannually, the data can track population trends and detect early warning signs of decline. With the Central government’s emphasis on biodiversity documentation under the National Wildlife Action Plan, Shendurney could serve as a model site for herpetofauna monitoring.
Our Take
It is easy to dismiss a species count as just a number. But numbers like 67 and 76 represent the health of an ecosystem that supports not only frogs and snakes but also the larger predators — birds of prey, mongoose, and even leopards — that feed on them. The shift from separate to combined surveys is a subtle but important improvement in conservation science. Shendurney’s forest floor has become a little more visible, and that clarity matters for everything from policy to public education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shendurney survey about?
It is a four-day combined amphibian and reptile survey at Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary that recorded 67 amphibian and 76 reptile species — the first integrated herpetofauna count at the sanctuary.
Why is a combined amphibian-reptile survey important?
It provides a holistic picture of herpetofauna, reveals ecological interactions, avoids habitat overlap gaps, and helps conservation planning more effectively than separate surveys.
Where is Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary lies in Kollam district of Kerala, southern India, and forms part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats.
What species were found in the Shendurney survey?
The published numbers are 67 amphibian species and 76 reptile species. Exact species names are not yet released officially, but they likely include endemic frogs, geckos, skinks, and snakes.
Can the public visit Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary?
Yes, the sanctuary is open for eco-tourism with prior booking through the Kerala Forest Department. Entry is regulated to minimise disturbance to wildlife.
