Tezpur University Discovers Diverse Snake Population on Campus

According to a study conducted in the last two years, higher education institutions across India are home to an average of 25 snake species. The latest research, published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, focused on the Tezpur University campus in Assam and found 64 snakes belonging to 15 species.

The Tezpur University study, led by researchers from the university's Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and Department of Environmental Science, revealed that the campus' snake diversity is relatively lower compared to other university campuses where similar studies were carried out. For instance, the Gauhati University study in 2023 identified 19 snake species, while the Madras Christian College and Mizoram University studies in 2024 recorded 23 and 42 species, respectively.

The researchers noted that the Tezpur University campus, with its 1.6 sq. km. area and 75% green cover, serves as a home for various wildlife, including reptiles. However, they also flagged roadkill and the shrinking green cover due to construction activities as major challenges for the coexistence of snakes and humans on the campus.

The study found that of the 15 species recorded, three were venomous, including the Naja kaouthia, Bungarus fasciatus, and Bungarus lividus. The researchers believe these findings can contribute to the management of snake-human interactions on campus and serve as a reference for studies on the impact of urbanization on snake diversity.