Notes on Günther’s Oriental Slender Snake (Trachischium guentheri) from the Himalayan Realm of North Sikkim, India

Abstract

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is known for its biodiversity, yet it faces substantial threats from
anthropogenic activities and climate change. Despite the ecological importance of the IHR, herpetofaunal studies,
especially in the eastern Himalayan State of Sikkim, remain limited. We herein address aspects of natural history of
a fossorial snake, Günther’s Oriental Slender Snake (Trachischium guentheri) in North Sikkim. We encountered 25
snakes during field surveys from 30 September to 12 October 2023 in the Lachen region at elevations of 2,549–2,918
m asl. Responses of snakes to unusually high rainfall led to increased road mortality during the peak tourist season. In
response, we propose two specialized structures, featuring elevated barriers and elaborate hollow, trapezoidal concrete
slabs, to mitigate roadkills. We also emphasize the importance of monitoring to identify areas with high traffic where
measures to mitigate road mortality should be employed.