Green Vine Snake
Amboli Bush Frog Eggs - Winner of 2nd prize in Sanctuary Asia, Call of the Wild Photography Awards 2015.
The Malabar Gliding Frog, Rhacophorus malabaricus - The Malabar gliding frog is a common gliding frog in the Western Ghats but it is also one of the most beautiful. The “gliding” frog refers to its ability to break a leap with its webbed feet when it leaps from tree canopies. Astonishingly, this frog can leap up to 12 meters which is almost 115 times its body length. Females are much larger than males and in the breeding season many males will try to mate with a single female. Like other gliding frogs, the female deposits eggs inside a foam nest.
The Malabar Pit Viper, Trimeresurus malabaricus - Endemic to the Western Ghats, Malabar pit vipers are nocturnal snakes occurring in rain forests with altitude of 600 to 2,000 meters above sea level. They, can sometimes be seen basking on rocks and trees near streams during the day. The species preys upon frogs, lizards, nesting birds, musk shrews, mice and other small vertebrates. Its venom is not fatal to humans only causing moderate pain and swelling when bitten. Like other vipers, the Malabar Pit Viper does not lay eggs, instead it gives birth to live young; around four to five babies at a time. Three morphs are found in Amboli i.e. brown, green and orange morph.
Blue Mormon,Papilio polymnestor – The Blue Mormon is a large swallowtail butterfly endemic to South India and Sri Lanka. It is the state butterfly of Maharashtra and it is most commonly found in heavy rainfall areas like Amboli. With a wingspan of 120-150 mm, it is the fourth largest butterfly found in India. In Amboli, they can usually be seen near forest paths and around streams. The male and female of the species are very similar, but sometimes there are crimson spots on the forewing of the female. The male is fond of the sun and avoids the shade.
Purple tree crab,Ghatiana atropurpurea – Discovered as recently as 2015, the Purple Tree Crab is a tree living crab with a preference to the Jamun tree, whose fruit colour it resembles. It was found for the first time in rainwater-containing tree holes in Amboli. Before its scientific discovery, this crab was known to locals and some had seen this species scavenging on millipedes and snakes accidently killed on the road by vehicles. It’s pincers are differently sized, one being bigger than the other. Apart from Amboli, these crabs have also been seen in parts of Goa too. Due to their recent discovery, very little is known about these crabs.
Banded Gecko
