The Indian rat snake (Ptyas mucosa), Varies in color from pale brown to nearly black with a light-hued underside, depending on the elevation and seasons. Our earlier articles has provided scientific information on the range and morphological features concerning rat snakes. Rat snakes are largely diurnal and glide through low trees with remarkable ease. The […]

We often find trails of leftover snake skins as we venture inside shade grown eco-friendly coffee plantations. A closer look at the skin reveals many interesting facts. Many Coffee Planters are of the opinion that skin shedding is something common in snakes, the fact of the matter is that, it is not entirely accurate. In […]

The Indian rat snake (Ptyas mucosa), also known as the oriental rat snake is a common species of colubrid snake and are non-venomous. Rat Snake ( Ptyas mucosa Linnaeus, 1758 ) Geographic Range Rat snakes are found in all coffee Agro climatic regions irrespective of variation in elevations ranging from 800 feet MSL to 5500 […]

Coffee forests in India are unique because of the multi-tiered shade system and the evergreen canopy provided by a diverse array of shade trees . The floor of the coffee forest is always full of leaf litter keeping the soil temperatures low. This is indeed an ideal habitat for all types of snakes and reptiles. […]

The Western Ghats, recognized world over as a center of biological diversity is also recognized for growing India’s finest shade coffees. Coffee Forests in India are by and large associated with wildlife sanctuaries and also form a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere region. These dense forests are located at elevations ranging from 750 meters right […]

The Coffee forests are blessed with some of the most unique and beautiful snakes. Almost all coffee zones are fertile ground for both venomous and nonvenomous snakes. The type of shade pattern inside the coffee estates varies with Arabica Plantations having dense shade and Robusta plantations more open to sun. Since reptiles are cold blooded, […]