Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary

About New Species:

• The Visakhapatnam limbless skink (Barkudiamelanosticta) a small reptile renowned for its unique limbless body and extraordinary adaptations, has long eluded scientific observations.
• It is believed to be endemic to this region.

Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is a vast forest reserve located near Vishaka- patnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• The name of the place referred to the local hill, Kambalakonda.
• The sanctuary has been under the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department since 1970.
• Topography: It is considerably hilly with steep slopes.
• Flora:
  • The forest cover in the sanctuary is mostly considered as a dry evergreen forest mixed with scrub and meadows.
  • One of the most stunning flowers found in the region includes the Indian screw tree. Other flowers and fruits like flowers of the Bush plum tree, Jungle berry bunches can be found all across the landscape.
• Fauna:
  • Quite a few animals are extremely rare, these animals include the Indian leopard, Indian pangolin, Madras treeshrew, Barking Deer, Jackal etc.
  • Russel’s viper or Daboia russelii (Rare breed of snake).
  • Some uncommon birds include the Indian Golden oriole, Indian peafowl, Banded bay cuckoo.

Q1) Can a human survive a saw scaled viper bite?

To put things into perspective, the saw-scaled viper has a maximum yield of 70 mg of venom in a single bite, and the average person only needs 5 mg to be fatally wounded. Given the fact that this snake bites with a minimum of 10 mg, even the weakest and least potent bite is enough to kill at least two people.

Source: Barkudia limbless skink sighted at Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary in Visakhapatnam

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