Historic Discovery in Assam's Capital
In a remarkable development for Indian herpetology, Guwahati has recorded its first-ever sighting of an albino checkered keelback snake. This extraordinary discovery places Assam on the exclusive map of regions documenting hypopigmentation anomalies in this particular snake species, whose recorded observations date back to the year 1799.
The Rare Find and Research Team
The groundbreaking discovery occurred within the premises of the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden, where researchers spotted the unique serpent. The team responsible for this significant find included Rupankar Bhattacharjee, Ashwini Kumar, Jayaditya Purkayastha, Pranjal Mahananda and Debabrata Phukon.
The albino specimen was identified as a juvenile measuring 290 mm and was documented last year. The international journal 'Reptiles and Amphibians' officially published these findings on Friday, bringing global attention to this rare biological occurrence.
Scientific Confirmation and Safe Release
Ashwini Kumar, who also serves as the DFO of Assam State Zoo, explained the identification process. "The identity of the snake was confirmed through detailed inspection of its appearance and scalation, which matched published descriptions for Fowlea piscator," he stated.
Following careful observation and study by state zoo researchers, the snake received a safe release into a protected forest habitat within just three days of its discovery. This prompt action demonstrated the conservation priorities of the research team.
Ecological Significance and Survival Challenges
DFO Ashwini emphasized that this discovery holds tremendous importance for Assam's reptilian records. Previously, snakes with similar albino conditions were documented only in Nepal and other parts of India, making this Assam's inaugural entry into this exclusive biological record.
Rupankar Bhattacharjee provided crucial insights into the survival challenges facing such rare creatures. "These albino snakes face significant difficulty surviving in the wild," he noted, explaining why discoveries of such species remain rare and scientifically valuable.
The snake exhibited classic albinism characteristics - a genetic anomaly causing complete absence of melanin. This resulted in its distinctive pale yellow skin and striking red eyes, setting it apart from similar conditions like leucism where species typically retain normal eye coloration.
Bhattacharjee further elaborated on the ecological implications: "From an ecological perspective, a snake's skin colour plays a vital role in its survival. Most snakes depend on their natural camouflage to blend into the forest floor, slipping unnoticed between leaves and shadows."
He highlighted one of the most compelling aspects of this discovery: "One of the most striking realities is that this snake has been surviving, since albino snakes rarely get the chance to grow to adulthood." This survival against odds makes the finding particularly significant for understanding wildlife adaptation and survival mechanisms.
The discovery not only enriches Assam's biodiversity records but also provides valuable insights into genetic variations within snake populations, opening new avenues for herpetological research in Northeast India.
