Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Oct. 2, 2024

Recently, a survey of herpetofauna – reptiles and amphibians – within the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), led to the identification of 33 reptiles and 36 amphibians that were recorded from the region for the first time.

About Mudumalai Tiger Reserve:

  • Location: It is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  • The name Mudumalai means the ancient hill range because it is as old as 65 million years when the Western Ghats were formed.
  • It has a common boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the West, and Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the North.
  • The Theppakadu elephant camp is a popular tourist attraction.
  • Vegetation: A variety of habitats ranging from tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry teak forest, secondary grasslands and swamps are found here.
  • Flora: The Reserve has tall grasses, commonly referred to as “Elephant Grass”, Bamboo of the giant variety, valuable timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc.
  • Fauna: Elephants, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Porcupine etc. 

Highlights of the Survey

  • Two critically endangered species of amphibians, Micrixalus spelunca, commonly known as the cave dancing frog, and Nyctibatrachus indraneili, the Indraneil’s Night Frog were found here.
  • Other Endangered species of amphibians like the endemic Star-eyed Bush Frog, Nilgiri Bush Frog and Nilgiris wart frog were also found.