Study by Indian researcher in US Journal reports Rare Scaleless Snake Found in Nagpur
A rare congenital abnormality in a commonly found Indian snake species has been documented from Nagpur, Maharashtra, drawing attention to the potential long term impacts of environmental pollution on wildlife. A Checkered Keelback (Fowlea piscator), rescued from a residential area in Nagpur, was found to be partially scaleless, a condition scientifically termed merolepidosis.
The finding has been formally reported by snake researcher and ophiologist Rahul Shinde of Solapur in the internationally peer-reviewed journal ‘Reptiles & Amphibians’ in the Kansas University, America on 26 January 2026, making this the first recorded case of merolepidosis in a Checkered Keelback from India. The unusual snake was rescued at around 3:30 PM on 11 July 2024 from a residence at Plot No. 203, Niranjan Nagar, Nagpur, by local snake rescuers Santosh Soni and Gaju Patle. The snake measured approximately 60 cm in total length and showed a near-complete absence of dorsal scales, while the ventral scales appeared largely normal.
Photographs provided by Soni and Patle revealed wrinkled, soft skin across much of the dorsum an unmistakable sign of disrupted scale development. After careful examination and documentation, the snake was released into a suitable natural habitat. In reptiles, scales are formed by beta-keratin proteins, which provide mechanical strength, reduce water loss, and protect against abrasion, ultraviolet radiation, and predators. Any disruption in beta-keratin synthesis due to genetic mutations or environmental stressors can lead to abnormal or absent scale formation.
This condition, known as merolepidosis, is extremely rare in snakes. Similar cases have previously been reported in a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), where the absence of beta-keratin resulted in fragile, wrinkled skin incapable of providing normal protection.
Commenting on the significance of the finding, Rahul Shinde stated “This is not merely a morphological curiosity. Such abnormalities are biological indicators of deeper environmental stress. All documented cases of merolepidosis in India have emerged from industrial or heavily polluted regions, which strongly suggests a possible link between environmental contaminants and genetic disruption in wildlife.”
Shinde further emphasized that although Fowlea piscator is among the most widespread and adaptable snakes in India, such anomalies in a resilient species should be viewed as a serious ecological warning. This Nagpur record represents the third documented case of merolepidosis in Indian snakes. The first case of merolepidosis from India ‘Two Spectacled Cobras (Naja naja) reported from an industrial area in Solapur, Maharashtra’, was also documented by Rahul Shinde with Amit Sayyed. (2021). In 2023 A Common Trinket Snake (Coelognathus helena) recorded from an industrial zone in Porbandar, Gujarat, reported by Vyas. Notably, all three Indian cases originated in or near industrialized landscapes, strengthening the hypothesis that chemical pollutants may act as mutagens, affecting embryonic development in reptiles. International studies support these concerns. Research conducted at a Superfund site in Pennsylvania, USA, documented multiple abnormalities including merolepidosis in Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis), attributing them to long-term exposure to environmental toxins.
Such findings align with broader scientific literature demonstrating that anthropogenic pollutants can induce genetic mutations and phenotypic deformities in wildlife populations. The study underscores the need for systematic monitoring of morphological abnormalities in reptiles, especially in urban and industrial regions. According to Shinde, documenting such cases is crucial not only for herpetology but also for environmental health assessment and conservation planning.
The author acknowledged the support of Santosh Soni, Gaju Patle, and colleagues Devendra Bhosale, Yunus Maner, Omkar Yadav, and Anil Aldar for their assistance and cooperation during the research.
“We have rescued many Checkered Keelbacks over the years, but this was the first time we encountered one with almost no scales on its dorsal side. We handled it carefully, documented the condition, and later released it into a safe habitat. Documenting such a unique condition was on priority, so we approached Ophiologist & Researcher Rahul Shinde. We are pleased with the publication”
–Snake Rescuer Gaju Patle
“The skin of the snake on the dorsal side was soft and wrinkled instead of firm and scaly, which is not something we normally see in this species. That is why we ensured proper photographs were taken and shared for expert examination. The same was published in Reptiles & Amphibians, an American Journal. I thank Ophiologist & Researcher Rahul Shinde for this international recognition”
–Snake Rescuer Santosh Soni
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