Reptiles of Pakistan

Nisar Ahmad

1. NISAR AHMAD M.sc 2nd Zoology TOPIC:REPTILES OF PAKISTAN

2. REPTILES OF PAKISTAN O ver 195 species of reptiles are known in Pakistan. Of these, 13 species are believed to be endemic. As with other groups, these are a blend of Palaearctic, Indo-Malayan and Ethiopian forms. The mugger (marsh crocodile) is in danger partially due to over hunting. The species is now nearly extinct and only occur in small numbers in Sindh and a few areas in Balochistan ( Groombridge , 1988). The gharial is in a precarious situation, or maybe already extinct and has only been seen in small numbers between the Sukkur and Guddu barrages. In addition monitor species are heavily hunted for their skins.

3. REPTILES OF PAKISTAN Of the 72 snake species found in Pakistan, only 14 marine and 12 terrestrial snake species are poisonous; most well known are the Indian cobra, common krait, saw-scaled viper and Russel's viper. On genus, the monospecific Teratolepsis , is endemic, while another, Eristicophis , is near endemic.The Chagai Desert is of particular interest for reptiles, with six species ( including five lizards and onesnake ) are endemic to Pakistan and a further six species found only here and in bordering parts of Iran. Important populations of marine turtles nest on Pakistan's southern beaches. Green and olive turtle, mugger, gharial , central Asian monitor, Indian python, central Asian cobra are among the internationally threatened species of reptiles in Pakistan (IUCN 1990).

4. Different categories of reptiles in P akistan

5. Crocodilians of Pakistan Crocodilians (crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials ), are prominent and widespread occupants of tropical and subtropical aquatic habitats. There are 23 living crocodilian species in the world represented by three families, ALLIGATORIDAE, CROCODYLIDAE and GAVIALIDAE. In Pakistan two families are represented by two species of Crocodilians. Family : CROCODYLIDAE (Crocodiles) Family: GAVIALIDAE ( Gharial )  

6. Mugger or Marsh Crocodile Crocodylus palustris Local Name: Mugger Much (Urdu) Family: CROCODYLIDAE Genus: Crocodylus Status: Rare and Endangered Warning: Mugger can be very dangerous. People should avoid swimming in lakes and rivers that are known to have Muggers .

7. General characteristics The mugger is a medium-sized crocodile (maximum length ca. 45m), and has the broadest snout of any living member of the genus Crocodylus . The colour generally is light tan in juveniles, with black cross-banding on body and tail. Adults are generally grey to brown, with little banding remaining. Enlarged scutes present around the throat area may serve a similar protective function when moving through shallow swampy areas. This is a medium to large species (4 to 5 m). 

8. BIOLOGY: Mugger crocodiles are a hole nesting species. As with other hole nesters, egg laying takes place during the annual dry season. Females become sexually mature at a length of approximately 1.82m, and lay 2530 eggs (Whitaker and Whitaker 1989). Nests are located in a wide variety of habitats, and females have even been known to nest at the opening of, or inside, the burrow (B.C. Choudhury , pers. comm.).   In captivity, some mugger crocodiles are known to lay two clutches in a single year (Whitaker and Whitaker 1984), but this has not been observed in the wild. Incubation is relatively short, typically lasting 5575 days (Whitaker 1987).  Juveniles take crustaceans, insects and small fish generally. Adults eat larger fish, amphibians, reptiles (mainly snakes and possibly turtles), birds and mammals ( e.g monkeys). Large adults have been known to take deer and buffalo on occasions.

9. Habitat , Distribution and Status: Muggers are principally restricted to the Indian subcontinent where they may be found in a number of freshwater habitat types including rivers, lakes and marshes. In India and Sri Lanka, mugger crocodiles have adapted well to reservoirs, irrigation canals and man made ponds, and in some areas may even be found in coastal saltwater lagoons (Whitaker 1987, Whitaker and Whitaker 1989). In some areas of northern India and Nepal, mugger populations are sympatric with gharial , but the two species tend to be segregated by habitat. Where found together with gharial , muggers tend to bask in midstream on rocks or muddy banks ( Groombridge 1982). This species, like a number of other crocodilians, is known to dig burrows .

10. Habitat, Distribution and Status: No recent survey data is available on Mugger Crocodiles ( Crocodylus palustris ) in Pakistan, but this was considered endangered or very rare in the early 1980s ( Groombridge 1982). In Pakistan, the mugger is reported to be extinct in the Punjab province due to alteration of habitat ( Chaudhury 1993). Small populations are reported in Sind along the Nara Canal, in Khairpur Sanghar and Nawab districts and Haleji lake. These are said to be vulnerable and diminishing. The most recent survey was conducted by the zoological survey of Pakistan during 1997.

11. Habitat, Distribution and Status: Five hundred specimens were recorded at Makhi and Baqar Dhand of the Chotiiari reservoir. Plans for winter survey during 1999- 2000 season are under way. One thousand specimens were recorded in 1999 in Sanghar district by the Sind wildlife department. The species is now considered safe in Sind. Crocodile recovery has been in association with a conservation project in the Deh Akro no. 2 Taluka Nawabshah reservior , downstream from the Sukkur Barrage near Rohri . The project began in 1983, and current estimates place the crocodile population at about 2000 (Ahmad 1990 ).

12. Habitat, Distribution and Status: The mugger remains widely distributed in Baluchistan with confirmed locations on the Nari , Hab , Titiani , Hingol and Dasht rivers and Nahang and Kach Kuar . In all cases the populations are of unknown but small size. In Balochistan , the widespread killing of crocodiles has threatened the majority of the local populations. Many crocodiles were reported killed in the River Hingol during a period of low water in 1986-1987 (Khan 1989). Approximately 50 individuals are held in captivity in seven facilities and three pairs are breeding. A program is ongoing to obtain muggers from the captive bred stock in India for release into protected habitats. Principal threats include killing for sale of the hide, killing by fishermen as well killing for the collection of specimens for laboratories and museums (Khan 1988 ).

13. Establishment of a conservation / management program in Pakistan: Recent reports suggest that mugger crocodile populations in Pakistan remain viable after being severely depleted by commercial hunting. However, no formal surveys have been conducted, and in some parts of the country continued killing has been reported. Interest has been expressed in initiating a restocking program similar to the one in India. However, surveys of population status and a biological research program are a prerequisite to establishing a management program.

14. Indian Gharial or Gavial Gavialis gangeticus Local Name: Gharial (Urdu) Family: GAVIALIDAE Genus: Gavialis Status: Virtually Extinct Warning: Gharials can be dangerous at times. People should avoid swimming in lakes and rivers that are known to have Gharials .

15. General characteristics :  The gharial is the most long-snouted and together with the saltwater crocodile the largest of the living crocodilians (males up to 67m). Placed in a family by itself, the Gavialidae , the gharial has long been separated from the rest of the crocodilian stock ( Densmore 1983). Adult males grow a bulbous nasal appendage, which resembles an Indian pot called a ' ghara ,' from which the species derives its name. It has several functions attributed to it: a vocal resonator (which produces a loud buzzing noise during vocalisation), a visual stimulus to females, and the production of bubbles associated with sexual behaviour.

16. General characteristics : The elongated jaws are lined with many interlocking, razor-sharp teeth - an adaptation to the diet (predominantly fish in adults). The gharial is poorly equipped for locomotion on land - the leg musculature is not suited to raise the body off the ground (to produce the 'high-walk' gait - being able only to push its body forward across the ground ('belly-sliding'), although it can do this with some speed when required. It is, however, very agile in the water - the tail is well-developed and laterally flattened, and the rear feet possess extensive webbing .

17. BIOLOGY Gharial are arguably the most thoroughly aquatic of the extant crocodilians, and adults apparently do not have the ability to walk in a semi-upright stance as other crocodilians do (Bustard and Singh 1978). Although the function of the ghara is not well understood, it is apparently used as a visual sex indicator, as a sound resonator, or for bubbling or other associated sexual behaviors (Martin and Bellairs 1977).    Females may not reach sexual maturity until they are nearly 3m long. Nesting is done during the annual dry season in holes excavated in river sand banks (Whitaker and Basu 1983).

18. BIOLOGY . Nesting is done during the annual dry season in holes excavated in river sand banks (Whitaker and Basu 1983). Unlike most other crocodilians who carry their young from the nest in the mouth, gharial appear not to do this because of the unusual morphology of their jaws (Singh and Bustard 1977). However, post-natal maternal care has been observed. Female gharial typically lay 3050 eggs, and the eggs are the largest of any crocodilian (average 160g). 

19. BIOLOGY: The diet changes between juvenile and adult - the juveniles are well suited to deal with a variety of invertebrate prey such as insects, plus smaller vertebrates such as frogs. Adults, however, are primarily fish-eaters, for which their jaws and teeth are perfectly adapted - the thin shape gives the snout low resistance in water, which is suited to fast lateral snatching movements underwater; teeth are ideally suited for holding struggling prey such as slippery fish). Some of the larger gharials are more opportunistic and take larger prey, including mammals.

20. Habitat, Distribution and Status : The gharial is considered to be one of the most critically threatened of all crocodilians, becoming alarmingly close to extinction in the 1970s. Gharial are extremely rare in both India and Nepal, virtually extirpated in Pakistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh, and probably extinct in Myanmar .

21. Habitat, Distribution and Status: Gharial are restricted to the northern part of the Indian subcontinent where they were found in four river systems: the Indus (Pakistan), the Ganges (India and Nepal), the Mahanadi (India) and the Brahmaputra (Bangladesh, India and Bhutan). Reports of gharial remaining in the Sind region of Pakistan are persistent (Ahmad 1990, Chaudhry 1993), but there appears to be a very small number, possibly only one or two individuals. The species is virtually extinct in Pakistan. The Pakistan government is currently planning a restocking effort with assistance from Indian institutions 

22. Survey of status and distribution in Pakistan:   The government of Pakistan is interested in implementing a restocking program similar to the ones in Nepal and India. However, apart from one recent sighting nothing is known about the status of the gharial . Surveys of the Indus River and Nara Canal are needed. Based on the results of this survey, action should be taken to set aside land for crocodile sanctuaries as a first step towards restocking .

23. Establishment of a captive rearing center in Pakistan:  A captive rearing center similar to those in India and Nepal is needed to supply animals for restocking in protected areas .

24. REFERENCES: www.wildlife of pakistan.com