Snakes of Auroville and Pondicherry

Snakes of Auroville and Pondicherry, written by Deepanam school teacher Rajeev Bhatt, is an easy introduction to the snakes that are common in this area. The booklet is beautifully illustrated, one or more photos showing each snake, with a brief description giving details. A special section deals with ‘look alikes’, harmless snakes that are remarkably similar to poisonous ones, with the advice ‘avoid handling’. And where handling is required, the author gives suggestions on how best to do that.

While most snakes are ‘common’, some, such as the striped keelback and the olive keelback, are in danger of disappearing, most likely due to being poisoned by the spraying of DDT and other chemicals.

Published by the Sri Aurobindo International Institute of Educational Research, and available at the White Seagull bookshop at the Visitors’ Centre. Price in India Rs 150.