Reptiles of AJK

Sajjad Hameed Mughal. Department of Zoology The University of Poonch AJK

1. REPTILES OF AJK PRESENTED BY. SAJJAD HAMEED MUGHAL

2. Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates. (Vertebrates have backbones) They have dry skin covered with scales or bony plates and usually lay soft-shelled eggs.

3. Reptiles are a group ( Reptilia ) of tetrapod animals comprising today's turtles , crocodilians , snakes , lizards and tuatara . The study of these traditional reptile groups, historically combined with that of modern amphibians , is called herpetology . Birds are also often included as a sub-group of reptiles by modern scientists.

4. SNAKES:

5. 3000 species of snakes in the world 375 are venomous (10 to 15 %) SNAKES

6. COMPARISON OF POISONOUS & NON-POISONOUS SNAKES

7. Characteristic Poisonous Nonpoisonous Shape of head Triangular Round Pupils Elliptical Round Bite marks Fang marks 2 rows of teeth Caudal plates Single row Double row Color body Red ring next to yellow Alternating color Swim in water Most of the body afloat Often only head showing Poisonous / Non Poisonous Snakes

8. Poisonous Snakes in Pakistan Rat Snake ( Ptyas mucosus ) Local Name: - Dhaman Indian Python (Python molurus ) Local Name: - Azdaha Indian Cobra ( Naja naja ) Local Name: - Cobra Leaf-nosed Viper ( Eristocophis macmahoni ) Local Name: - Cobra

9. . World,s deadliest snakes

10. A B Russell’s viper ( Daboia russelii )

11. Russell’s viper ( Daboia russelii )  is a genus of  venomous   Old World   viper . The single  species ( D. russelii ) is found in  Asia throughout the  Indian subcontinent , much of  Southeast Asia , southern China and  Taiwan  and  Pakistan .It is poisonous snake and was observed once in the field during study.

12. Sunbeam snake ( Xenopeltis unicolor )

13. Sunbeam snake ( Xenopeltis unicolor ) is commonly observed snake as total of (n=5) individuals were observed in the field. It is often long upto 5ft (3-5ft).

14. A B Common rat snake ( Elaphe obsolete obsolete)

15. The common rat snake ( Elaphe obsolete obsolete ) is a medium sized rodent eater found in grassy area where it captures small rodents for feeding as observed eating snake in field. It is found large in number as (n=12 ) individuals were observed during field studies.

16. Night snake ( Hypsiglena torquata )

17. Night snake ( Hypsiglena torquata ) is a nocturnal snake and is active at night for capturing small nocturnal insects and frogs. Only single individual visualized during study. It is identified by its characteristic pattern on its body.

18. Black mamba ( Dendroaspis polylepis )

19. Black mamba ( Dendroaspis polylepis ) was observed at Danna during field visit. It was quiet aggressive as Cobra while standing for fight by uptaking his head. It was about 7-8 feet in length. Mouth region was blackish from inner side. It was observed singly in the field.

20. Unidentified snake

21. LIZARDS:

22. A Turnip-tailed gecko ( Thecadactylus rapicauda )

23.   Turnip-tailed gecko The  turnip-tailed gecko ( Thecadactylus rapicauda ) is a nocturnal species visualized singly with fatty tail to store fats.

24. North Pakistan Agama ( Laudakia Pakistanica ) A B

25. North Pakistan Agama ( Laudakia Pakistanica ) is commonly found on shrubs in search of ants and for basking. Its size measured to 12 inches (30 cm). It is found in all the sites. It feeds upon insects and ants.

26. Eastern three-lined skink ( Bassiana duperreyi )

27. Eastern three-lined skink The eastern three-lined skink ( Bassiana duperreyi ) also known as the bold-striped cool-skink, is a species  in the  Scincidae  family. It is found common in area as almost (n=15) individuals were observed during study.

28. A B The Kashmir Rock Agama ( Laudakia tuberculata )

29. The  Kashmir Rock Agama ( Laudakia tuberculata ) is a common lizard species. Its habitat is stony area with direct sunlight available for basking. It is found of basking upon stones in large number (n=30) in all the sites of the study area.

30. Fat tail gecko ( Hemitheconyx caudicinctus )

31. Fat tail gecko is an endangered species . According to the WWF report, Pakistan possessed a number of reptile species being traded in the world. Fat tail gecko also present in these creation. Fat Tail Gecko is primarily nocturnal .

32. Monitor lizard 

33. Monitor lizard is the common name of several large  lizard   species , comprising the genus   Varanus . It is native to  Africa and Asia but is now found also in the  Americas  as an  invasive species . It has long neck, powerful  tail  and claws, and well-developed limbs.

34. All the above species are the part of my and my friend,s research from Muzaffarabad and Abbaspur , But It is a too small part of Ajk . We have to explore the whole Ajk …….!

35. It’s time for change come to front with the research oriented mind to bring a change ………………!!!!! Nothing is impossible in this world. Although there are some problems but God helps those who help themselves

36. THANX FOR ATTENTION…