Bagha / Patna : A rare sighting of the twin-spotted wolf snake — a non-venomous and visually striking species native to Asia — has been reported from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in Bagaha, Bihar.
The snake, known for its distinctive markings and modest length of up to 55cm, was recently spotted in a residential area of the Vijaypur region within the reserve. Despite its ominous-sounding name, the wolf snake poses no threat to humans.
“This snake is not poisonous and is only about 55cm long. Even though the name is ‘wolf snake’, it looks very beautiful,” said Abhishek, project director at the Nature Environment Welfare Society (NEWS), who first recorded the species in VTR back in 2017. According to Abhishek, the snake can be identified by two distinct spots that set it apart from other members of the Lycodon genus.
The twin-spotted wolf snake is rarely seen in the wild and has a limited distribution across parts of the Asian continent. In India, sightings have been reported from West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar — with Bihar’s VTR being the only known location in the state. The species has also occasionally been recorded in Myanmar, Vietnam and along the Himalayan foothills.
VTR is home to a rich diversity of reptilian life, with more than 45 species of snakes recorded in the reserve. These include venomous species such as cobras, kraits, Russell’s vipers and pit vipers, as well as non-venomous varieties like the rat snake, kukri snake, red sand boa and the mock viper.
