Perfect outdoor escapades: How to go herping in your own city
Grypotyphlops acutus, for the first time in the city. For herpetologist Robin Suyesh, assistant professor, department of environmental sciences, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, herping is an activity that needs to be done with low expectations. “It’s an exercise in patience," says Suyesh, 38, on the phone.
Suyesh has been herping in Delhi and its surrounding areas for the last nine years. “You can see herps within your city as well. Herps can survive in urban green spaces and city forests around you.
Of course, you can’t compare the diversity (of species) with a national park. But you’ll get first-hand experience. In Delhi, for example, you can see over 40 species of amphibians and reptiles," Suyesh says.
While locations like Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary and the Yamuna Biodiversity Park are two places to visit in the national capital, Suyesh has many study sites in Gurugram. “It’s very close to the Aravalli forests, which have a good diversity of herps and many rarities too." You can easily spot species like the marble toad, bull frogs and cricket frog in the region. “Monsoons are the perfect time to spot amphibians, especially when they are vocalising actively," says Suyesh.
When it comes to snakes and reptiles, all four venomous species of snakes are quite common in the Aravalli region: cobras, kraits, Russell’s and saw-scaled vipers, apart from rock pythons and the wolf snake. Suyesh explains that these are “shy animals" and often one needs to visit a site multiple times to encounter them. He says, “These encounters are mostly by chance.
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