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Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2018; 6(1): 375-379
E-ISSN: 2320-7078
P-ISSN: 2349-6800
JEZS 2018; 6(1): 375-379
© 2018 JEZS
Received: 06-11-2017
Accepted: 07-12-2017
SA Bansode
Department of Zoology,
Government College of Arts and
Science, Aurangabad,
Maharashtra, India.
Dr. VR More
Department of Zoology,
Government College of Arts and
Science, Aurangabad,
Maharashtra, India
Correspondence
SA Bansode
Department of Zoology,
Government College of Arts and
Science, Aurangabad,
Maharashtra, India.
An updated list of serpent from Palghar district
of Maharashtra, India
SA Bansode and Dr. VR More
Abstract
An updated inventory of serpent fauna from Palghar district of Maharashtra is provided here with. This
has been carried due to some recent new records from various families. The present study is an attempt to
appraise the information, occurrence, abundance and species richness and further assist in the knowledge,
awareness and conservation of snake fauna in this region since there is acute paucity of established work
and data on this subject till date. Now biodiversity of snake from Palghar district shows seven families
and thirty-five species in all. Now biodiversity of snake from Palghar district shows 07 families and 35
species in all.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Herpetology, Venomous, Non-venomous, conservation
1. Introduction
Snakes are well adapted to their habitat. Depending on their habitat, they may be aquatic
snakes, burrowing and arboreal snakes, Snakes are found in different size, shape and color due
to their mode of life. Snakes occupy a wide range of habitat, which includes fields, forests,
wetland, ponds, lakes, streams, rocky hillsides, farmland, vacant plots and residential areas
also. Diverse species of reptiles are found in all types of habitats and many of them live very
near to human habitations. Due to many superstitions, myths and false beliefs, people either
avoid them or wantonly kill them. In any case, there is little attempt to study the reptiles or
understand their ecological significance or protect and conserve them.
Snakes are friends of humankind if we could understand their ecology and biology but they
may be harmful if they are not handled properly and not understood them properly. Not all
snakes are poisonous, few of them are semi poisonous while majority are non-poisonous. As a
curiosity to determine the diversity of snake species in the different microhabitats (Niches) of
Palghar district this research was conducted. It will be an important baseline data for the
further studies on snakes of this region because in this region one of the most deadly snakes in
the world such as Spectacled Cobra, Russel’s Viper, Saw Scaled Viper, Bamboo Pit Viper, and
Common Indian Krait are abundantly found. Snakes are abundant all over the world except in
the Artics, New Zealand and Ireland. It is postulated that there are about 3000 species of
terrestrial snakes in the world and they are predominant in the warm climates and lush-green
regions of the tropics. About 278 species are found in India out of which 58 species are
poisonous [17]. Snakes are the members of the class Reptilia commonly they are known as
reptiles. All over the world, near about 3783 types of snake species are found out of which 297
species of snakes are found only in the India. The snakes found in India show great diversity
and their length varies from 6mm to 10m, while weight ranges between few grams to several
kilograms. These remarkable reptiles can live in every biogeographic region of the world, at an
altitude higher than 5000m and survive in deep waters. Snakes occupied deserts, forests,
marshy, swampy places, lakes, streams and rivers of different terrains [4]. Whereas
Maharashtra shows high mortality, upto 2000 deaths per year, particularly in rural population
showed High mortality.3000 species of snakes are distributed worldwide. 500 are venomous
species 52 venomous species are found in Indian subcontinent [15]. India is very rich country in
terms of the flora and fauna present in the natural ecosystem. About 3500 species of snakes are
recorded on earth inhabiting both land and sea of which about 375 are venomous [18].
Romulus Whitaker and Neelimkumar Khaire have been contributed much on this fauna from
India, in terms of streamlining the biodiversity of Snakes from India. Neelimkumar Khaire has
made a field guide features with 68 species of snakes found in India. Romulus Whitaker has
shown 30 representative forms, most of which might be encountered by an Indian citizens [24].
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Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies
Present study strongly appeal that the existence of species of
snakes in their habitat is going to endangered and some of
them are rare, it means that it is the indication of diverse
habitats are rapidly changing and it is harmful to their
biodiversity and their habitat. Considering the number of
species observed it is clear that the degraded forest niche has
few species of serpent fauna. Among the non-poisonous
snakes the rare species reported here as Indian rock python,
Python molurus and Striped keel back, Amphiesma stolatum
belongs from Boidae and Colubridae family respectively
[13].The present study therefore reveals to conduct a long term
monitoring and systematic study of this important group of
animal’s initiation of research, protection measures and public
awareness campaigns addressing local community would go a
long way in conserving the snakes [21].
The present study is an attempt to evaluate the information
about different types of snake species their occurrence,
abundance and species richness and further assist in the
knowledge, awareness and conservation of snake fauna in this
region since there is acute paucity of established work and
data on this subject till date. Isolated inputs in the form of
records have appeared from various workers time to time.
Unfortunately, previous list of biodiversity of snakes from
Palghar district is lacking some species. More ever data need
to be updated due to shuffling. An updated checklist of 35
species of 07 families is presented here.
2. Materials and Methods
The overall geographical Mokhada-Jawhar region is having
hilly area with all the geographical and ecological conditions
favoring the occurrence of different types of snake species in
the in this area. A well-trained snake catcher had captured the
snakes that have been sighted during visits or randomly or on
request of local people, when snakes were observed in their
houses or in and around their areas. For the people in the
Mokhada-Jawhar region and surrounding villages around the
them were provided with mobile phone number of the snake
catcher as well as authors to the villagers to inform the
presence of snake species in their respective villages. After
catching the snakes their characteristics, predominant features
were noted, photographed and identified [4-7]. Subsequently
the captured snakes were released into the forest area.
Snake catcher had captured all the poisonous, non-poisonous
snakes on the request of telephonic calls from the houses of
people throughout the year. Captured snakes data was
recorded during 2015 to 2016 to study their biodiversity. The
snakes were handled very carefully and all possible
precautions were taken not to disturb or injure them. After
study, snakes were released safely in the forests without any
harm to them. The snakes found in the residential area were
caught safely using snake-handling sticks and packed in
cotton made snake bags with metal rings and carried to the
wild habitats at safe places from human habitations.
Morphological characters were photographed by using 16.0
Megapixel Nikon Coolpix Optical Zoom Digital Camera. The
correct identification of reptiles was done by referring various
books viz. The book of Indian reptiles J.C. Daniel [4],
Neelimkumar Khaire [12] and Romulus Whitaker [27].
2.1 Ethical issues followed during the study
No snakes were harmed during this study. The snakes were
released in a safe area in order to minimize their rescue from
the nearby village peoples. All the caught snakes were
released on that day itself in the forest in the wake of above
discussion.
Fig 1: Map of Palghar district showing Mokhada and Jawhar
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Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies
Fig 2: Pie diagram representing the status of Herpetofauna in Mokhada Jawhar
Fig 3: Bar diagram representing total number of species richness in their respective Families
2.2 The updated list of the herpatofauna is as follows.
Family: 1. Colubridae
Species:
1. Argyrogena fasciolata
2. Coelognathus helena helena
3. Coelognathus helenamonticollaris
4. Colubergracilis
5. Ptyas mucosa
6. Dendrelaphistristis
7. Lycodonaulicus
8. Sibynophissubpunctatus
9. Xenochrophispiscator
10. Amphiesma stolatum
11. Macropisthodon plumbicolor
12. Oligodon arnensis
13. Boiga trigonata
14. Ahaetulla nasuta
15. Ahaetulla pulverulenta
16. Boiga ceylonensis
17. Boiga forsteni
18. Gerarda prevostiana
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Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies
Family: 2. Elapidae
Species:
1. Bungarus caeruleus
2. Calliophis melanurus
3. Najanaja
4. Hydrophis Caerulescens
Family: 3. Viperidae
Species:
1. Trimeresurus gramineus
2. Echis carinatus
3. Daboia russelii
4. Bungarussindanuswalli
Family: 4. Boidae
Species:
1. Python molurusmolurus
2. Gongylophis conicus
3. Eryxjohnii
Family: 5. Typhlopidae
Species:
1. Grypotyphlops acutus
2. Ramphotyphlops braminus
3. Rhinotyphlops acutus
Family: 6. Uropeltidae
Species:
1. Uropeltis macrolepis mahableshwarensis
2. Uropeltis macrolepis macrolepis
Family: 7. Lamprophiidae
Species: 1. Psammophis Longifrons
3. Result
As per the updated list, Palghar district has snakes from seven
families. Family: 1. Colubridae, shows 18 various kinds of
snakes. Percentage of Colubridae in Palghar district is
maximum as compared to other families. Fig.01 shows the
percentage of various families and their species. Family: 2.
Elapidae shows four species of snakes. Family: 3. Viperidae
also has four types of snakes. Family: 4. Boidae and Family:
5. Typhlopidae has three species of snakes. Family: 6.
Uropeltidae has two species of snakes. Family: 7.
Lamprophiidae has one species. Figure 01 shows graphical
representation of snake families and their species. Palghar
district has maximum diversity of family Colubridae as it has
18 species whereas family Lamprophiidae shows only one
species Psammophis longifrons. All major four (Commonly
called as Big Four, Whitaker and Captain, 2008) venomous
species of India i.e. Spectacle Cobra, Common Indian Krait,
Russel’s viper and Saw scale viper were recorded from this
study area.
4. Discussion
Spectacled Cobra, Russell’s viper and Saw scaled Viper were
the poisonous snakes from these Saw Scaled Viper comes
under most deadly venomous 10 snakes of the world. Green
vine snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) was rarely found especially
during late monsoon and early winter. Among the arboreal
snakes common vine snake was seen on the trees whereas
Common trinket was seen on the shrubs and sometime on
trees. Rat snakes were commonly spotted in the study area
throughout the study period. The poisonous snakes Spectacled
Cobra, Russell’s viper and Saw scaled Viper and non-
poisonous Buff-Striped Keelback, Banded Kukari Snake,
John’s Sand Boa, Bronzeback tree snake, Common Indian
Trinket Snake were observed throughout the year. Indian
Rock Python was rarely observed in the forest areas, grazing
areas. No snakebite case was observed during the study.
Upadhye et al. (2012) [23] studied the herpetofauna of
Vidyanagari Campus of the University of Mumbai, Ahsan et
al. (2015) [1] has studied the status and diversity of snakes of
Chittagong University Campus, Bangladesh and found a
record of 36 species. Similar study was done by Yadav et al.
(2014) [30] Herpetofaunal diversity in Radhanagari Wild Life
Sanctuary, Kolhapur, and Maharashtraand studied the
diversity, threats and conservation of herpetofauna in Shivaji
University Campus at Kolhapur.From Amravati, district
Nande and Deshmukh (2007) also reported 32 species of
snakes. Whereas Joshi (2011) [8] also reported 22 species of
snakes in Buldhana district. Ingale P., Bali S., Khandale J.,
also have studied Preliminary Survey of Snake Diversity from
Malegaon Tehsil of Washim District. Maharashtra. During
their study they have reported 15 venomous snakes.04 non-
venomous and 01 semi venomous snake.In previous study,
Harney N.V. (2011) [6] have also Studied on Snakes of
Bhadrawati, District Chandrapur (M.S.). During their study
period they had collected 466 snakes and classified under 6
families namely Elapidae, Viperidae, Colubridae,
Diapsididae, Boidae and Pythonidae these families represents
17 types of species. 4 poisonous snakes, 12 nonpoisonous and
1 semi poisonous snakes were reported.
Walmiki N. et al., (2012) also have studied here to fauna of
Bassein fort and surrounding region, Thane, Maharashtra,
India. They have reported the reptilian and amphibian
diversity was in and around Bassein fort. The reptilian
diversity comprises 23 snake species, 3 skinks species, 5
gecko species and 3 lizard species and 1 terrapin and 1 turtle
species. Amphibian includes 5 frog and 1 toad species. Raut
S.R., et al (2014) [17] have studied the biodiversity of snakes
from Palghar district, did similar study. They have studied
biodiversity of snakes from, Palghar, Manor and Saphale.
They have identified 15 non-venomous, 03 semi venomous
and 07 venomous snake’s species. This study includes the
biodiversity of snakes from Jawahar and Mokhada regions of
Palghar district. Present study is a great reckoner for the
herpetological researcher as no work has been done in this
area. During present study 19 non-venomous snake’s species
and 11 venomous species are recorded.
It is observed during the 99% people without knowing the
importance of snakes in ecosystem and without having
sufficient knowledge of morphological difference between
poisonous and non-poisonous snakes they directly kill them
by declaring it as poisonous and harmful creature. This
happens due to misunderstanding and lack of awareness
among peoples about snakes. It is our effort through this study
to make aware and literate the people in the region to
understand and cooperate on snake conservation; because
every form of the life existing on the earth is very unique and
warrants respect regardless of its worth to human beings, this
is the ecosystems right of an organism. Every organism has an
inherent right to exist regardless of whether it is valuable to
human beings or not. It has right to survive in its
environment.
5. Conclusion
The present study reveals that the non-poisonous snakes were
found in maximum number as compare with the poisonous
snakes. An updated checklist of Palghar district with
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Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies
herpatofauna shows 35 species of 07 different families.
Recorded snakes belongs to 7 different families namely
Colubridae, Elapidae, Viperidae, Boidae, Typhlopidae,
Uropeltidae, Lamprophiidae. Family Colubridae shows
maximum diversity in this region because among 35 snakes
species 18 belongs to this family with record of 5 venomous
snakes. The present study reveals that the non-poisonous
snakes were found in maximum number as compare with the
poisonous and snakes. Above results indicates healthy
environmental conditions in the area. According to present
study good reptilian diversity was recorded indicating that the
habitat was ideal for reptiles and the food is available
abundantly. Presence of rare species of reptiles recorded in
the study area suggest that the area is not very much
influenced by anthropogenic activities, as well it should be
conserved on high priority by considering reptilian
biodiversity which plays the important role in maintaining the
ecological balance.
6. Acknowledgement
Author is grateful to Mr. Mayur Naresh Kedar (snake friend,
founder of “Wan Sanyajeew Sanwardhan Sanstha, Jawahar),
who has helped a lot during present study.
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