Ecology of High Altitude Reptiles

Herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) are important components of both terrestrial and wetland ecosystems as they play a major role in energy flow and nutrient cycling. Both of them are also excellent indicators of environmental degradation. Being poikilotherms, reptiles tend to partition time and space more often than homeotherms as their physiology and behaviour are closely linked to environmental conditions. Herpetofauna of India is one of the most diverse and poorly known taxa in terms of their ecology.Till today, no intensive study on the ecology of reptiles has been undertaken in Upper Nilgiris. Hence, the present study was initiated to study the ecology of reptile in Upper Nilgiri Plateau. The book encompasses six chapters including introduction and study area details. Next three chapters deal with population ecology, habitat use and Food. The sixth chapter deals with resource utilization of reptiles.