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Himalayan Toad

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  Himalayan Toad The Himalayan toad is probably the most commonly occurring amphibian species found in the Indian and Nepalese region od the North Eastern Himalayas. The brownish rough exterior with multiple warts and skin granulation is the reason it is called “Khasrey Vyaguta” in Nepali which literally translates to “rough toad”. The Himalayan toad was first documented by Günther. The toad is an integral part of the tribal cultures of Darjeeling and Nepal as it is commonly associated with rainfall, witchcraft and also shamanic rituals. Although it is related to the shamanic culture, no actual reason behind this association has been reported. The Himalayan toad is also equipped with a musky pungent toxin secreted by its glands which possibly contains the common toxin in toads i.e. Bufotenine. Conservation Status s-Least Concern Size- Adult males are comparatively smaller than females. A fully grown, sexually mature adult male can reach up to lengths of 110-120mm from snout...
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Worm Eaters of D-Town

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The Worm Eaters of Darjeeling. A variety of unique and extraordinary serpents inhabit the Eastern Himalayas. The broad geography of landscapes offered and irregular variability in altitude acts as a biological niche for different species to inhabit. The wide spectrum of serpentine species include large venomous and ophiophagus Elapids such as the Bungarus niger (Black Krait), beautiful and venomous Viperids such as the Trimereserus sp. and even well known snakes such as the Indian Python ( Python molurus ) and the King Cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah ). Besides all the unique and commonly identifiable snakes, this location also houses a peculiar subterranean cousin of your serpentine nightmares. These snakes are the harmless worm eating snakes or the Trachischium snakes. Innocent in both behaviour and appearance ( that is considering you aren’t blindly afraid of scaled animals), these snakes are one of the most common herps an individual can come across in the district of Darjeeling. I...
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Himalayan Newt

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  Himalayan Salamander.                                                                          The  Tylototriton himalayanus  is a unique species of the Urodela order endemic to the North Eastern Himalayas and the one of the two known subspecies (along with another sub sp.) of its order found in the Indian subcontinent. This species is possibly one of the most noteworthy species of Herpetofauna found in the area, making it a remarkable species for the culture of the Himalayas regarding both cultural heritage and modern culture. Residents of Darjeeling are probably the most aware about the existence of this species as they can be constantly seen appearing on items varying from coffee mugs to fridge magnets and even clothing. The salamander has affected the urban society of Darjeeling to...
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