Samenvatting
Reptiles are ectothermic vertebrates whose activity patterns are fundamentally shaped by ambient thermal conditions,
making them particularly sensitive to the extreme temperature ranges and seasonal precipitation patterns characteristic
of dry ecosystems. The semi-arid and dry deciduous landscapes of the Deccan Plateau in peninsular India support
diverse reptile communities whose seasonal activity patterns reflect both the annual temperature cycle and the highly
seasonal rainfall that drives prey availability and reproductive opportunities. This study presents a systematic
assessment of seasonal activity patterns for 48 reptile species across 32 sites in the Deccan Plateau dry ecosystems of
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, using monthly standardised VES and camera trapping over two complete
annual cycles (2021-2023). Activity season length, daily activity windows, seasonal body condition, and reproductive
phenology are quantified for each species. Activity was highest during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons for the
majority of species (62.5%), driven by elevated prey availability and suitable thermal conditions. Geckos showed
year-round activity with nocturnal patterns; agamids were diurnal and showed strong seasonal compression in summer.
Rock-dwelling species showed the least seasonal activity variation owing to thermal buffering by rocky substrates.
Climate change implications for thermal activity windows and phenological mismatch are assessed using operative
temperature modelling.