Mumbai-based wildlife photographers while herping (looking for reptiles and amphibians in the forest) on the outskirts of Thane have come across an uncommon species of snake — the Bombay shieldtail (Uropeltis macrolepis). 

Wildlife photographers Karan Solanki and Sahil Savadia had gone on the outskirts of Thane when they were lucky to spot the species. 

Talking to mid-day, Solanki said, “It had been raining lightly, and while crossing a small rocky patch, we came across a small black snake hidden between the stones. Upon closer observation, we realised it was a species of shieldtail, but the pattern and colouration were so unique that we couldn’t immediately identify it.”