REPTILES

The wide range of habitats in the Satpura & Pachmarhi regions support a rich reptilian fauna. 34 species of reptiles were recoded in the Satpura & Pachmarhi region.

Uropeltis Ocellata, commonly known as the Sheild Tail snake (non venomous) found predominantly in southern india has also been recorded in Satpura National Park. 31 species of snakes from 6 families have been recorded in Satpura National Park & Pachmarhi Biosphere.

Details for each species are listed below :

IUCN Red List status (IUCN 2017) is NE (Not Evaluated), LC (Least Concern), VU (Vulnerable), EN (Endangered), and CR (Critically Endangered)

Mugger Crocodile, Crocodylus Palustris (Lesson 1831) (Crocodylidae) VU

Indian Peacock Soft-shelled Turtle, Nilssonia hurum (Gray 1830) (Trionychidae) VU

Indian Roofed Turtle, Pangshura tecta (Gray 1830) (Trionychidae) LC

Brook’s House Gecko, Hemidactylus brookii Gray 1845 (Gekkonidae) NE

Yellow-Green House Gecko, Hemidactylus flaviviridis Rüppell 1835 (Gekkonidae) NE

South Asian House Gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus Duméril and Bibron 1836 (Gekkonidae) LC

House Gecko, Hemidactylus sp. (Gekkonidae)

Indian Garden Lizard, Calotes cf. versicolor (Daudin 1802 (Agamidae) NE

Indian Chameleon, Chamaeleo zeylanicus (Laurenti 1768) (Chamaeleonidae) LC

Keeled Grass Skink, Eutropis cf. carinata (Schneider 1801) (Mabuyidae) LC

Bronze Skink, Eutropis cf. macularia (Blyth 1853) (Mabuyidae) NE

White-spotted Supple Skink, Lygosoma albopunctata (Gray 1846) (Lygosomidae) NE

Lined Supple Skink, Lygosoma lineata (Gray 1839) (Lygosomidae) LC

Punctate Supple Skink, Lygosoma punctata (Gmelin 1799) (Lygosomidae) NE

Bengal Monitor, Varanus bengalensis (Daudin 1802) (Varanidae) LC

Common Sand Boa, Eryx conicus (Schneider 1801) (Erycidae) NE

Red Sand Boa, Eryx johnii (Russell 1801) (Erycidae) NE

Indian Rock Python, Python molurus (Linnaeus 1758) (Pythonidae) NE

Banded Racer, Argyrogena fasciolata (Shaw 1802) (Colubridae) NE

Trinket Snake, Coelognathus helena (Daudin 1803) (Colubridae) NE

Common Bronze-backed Treesnake, Dendrelaphis tristis (Daudin 1803) (Colubridae) NE

Common Wolfsnake, Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus 1758) (Colubridae) NE

Banded Kukri Snake, Oligodon arnensis (Shaw 1802) (Colubridae) NE

Indian Ratsnake, Ptyas mucosa (Linnaeus 1758) (Colubridae) NE

Buff-striped Keelback, Amphiesma stolatum (Linnaeus 1758) (Natricidae) NE

Checkered Keelback, Xenochrophis piscator (Schneider 1799) (Natricidae) NE

Common Krait, Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider 1801) (Elapidae) NE

Common Indian Cobra, Naja naja (Linnaeus 1758) (Elapidae) NE

King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor 1836) (Elapidae) VU

Brahminy Blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin 1803) (Typhlopidae) NE

Russell’s Viper, Daboia russelii (Shaw and Nodder 1797) (Viperidae) NE

Saw-scaled Viper, Echis carinatus (Schneider 1801) (Viperidae) NE

Apart from reptiles, fishes are found abundantly in the various streams and rivers. Apart from Denwa, crocodiles have been spotted even in the elevated Sonbhadra river too.

Most of the factors threatening populations of reptiles emanate from habitat loss, the greatest extent of which is attributable to the conversion of natural habitats for purposes of agriculture and urbanization. Crocodilians and turtles also are exploited for meat and, in the case of the former, their hides. Many species of summates are threatened by vehicular traffic. However, many reptiles — especially snakes — are killed as a result of fear and superstitions. Declining reptilian populations warrant greater conservation efforts, with a particularly urgent need to create an awareness among local human populations regarding the importance of maintaining viable ecosystems in which reptiles play major roles.