Indian marsh mugger and its tunnel residency behavioural patterns in a sanctuary premises in Haryana, India

• Published in: Journal of applied and natural science 2011-06, Vol.3 (1), p.25-28
• Main Author: Gupta, Rohtash Chand
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic reptiles; Crocodiles; Crocodylus palustris; Earth; Eggs; Hatching; Marshes; Night; Tunnels
• ISSN: 0974-9411; 2231-5209
• DOI: 10.31018/jans.v3i1.148

The present studies endeavour to focus attention on the Tunnel behavior of Indian Marsh Mugger in “Bhor Sainda Crocodile Sanctuary” in Kurukshetra district of Haryana state in India. The Sanctuary premises are spread over an area of about 25-30 Acres with a good marshy land and a central earth mound which is having 12-15 tunnels. Observations reveal that Indian Marsh Mugger is accustomed to spend time in Tunnels during the night without any exception in normal conditions. However, if the tunnels are damaged due to one or the other reason,then Muggers may compulsively stray in the open during night time. All the tunnels are seldom in use at any given time.Tunnels are necessarily used for eggs laying by the females. Tunnels are in very bad shape in this Sanctuary.Tunnels are scattered on the earth mound all across with no specific pattern or style. However, most of the tunnels are located in the centre of the earth mound. Tunnels were in very good position during 1985-1990. However, now these tunnels are in very bad shape. Most of these are now stuffed with debris and appear defunct. These have directly affected the hatching of eggs which are necessarily laid in tunnels by muggers at this Sanctuary site.