Gastrointestinal parasites of common snakes of Western Ghats region of Karnataka, India

A study was conducted to ascertain the status of prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in common snakes of the Western Ghats region of Karnataka. A total of six number of different species of snakes viz., Indian rock python, king cobra, spectacled cobra, Forsten's cat snake, montane trinket, and checkered keelback snakes maintained under captive state were included to study the prevalence of common gastro-intestinal parasites. The faecal samples were collected and screened for the parasite eggs by sedimentation technique. All six species of snakes harboured one and the other parasitic eggs/ova. The fecal sample of Indian rock python and King cobra showed eggs of strongyles, Strongyloides sp. and Capillaria sp. Spectacled cobra and Forsten's cat snake harboured strongyle and ascarid eggs. Montane trinket snake was found positive for strongyle and Capillaria sp. eggs and coccidian oocysts whereas, the Checkered keelback snake harboured Strongyloides sp. and coccidian oocysts.