3. Reptiles of Pakistan
Over 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.
4. Following are the well known Reptiles of Pakistan
Crocodiles (Crocodile and Gharials)
Snakes (Venomous and Non Venomous)
Turtels (Sea and Fresh Water)
Lizards (moniter and Small)
5. Crocodilians of Pakistan
Crocodilians (crocodiles, alligators, caimans,
and gharials), are prominent and widespread
occupants of tropical and subtropical aquatic
habitats.
6. 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.
7. Family: CROCODYLIDAE (Crocodiles)
This Family is represented in Pakistan by a
single specie of crocodilian The Mugger,
belonging to the Genus Crocodylus:
But !
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.
* Mugger or Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris)
8. General Characteristics
The mugger crocodile has a very broad snout,
which is what primarily gives them the look of
an American alligator. Their head is fairly
flattened on the top, and the eyes, ears and
nostrils are on the same surface. This permits
the Mugger crocodile to both see and hear, as
well as to smell while they are nearly all the
way under the water.
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).
10. 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.
11. Conservation projects in Pakistan
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.
12. 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.
13. Family: GAVIALIDAE (Gharial)
This Family is represented in Pakistan by a single
species of crocodilian Indian Gharial, belonging
to the Genus Gavialis:
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.
Indian Gharial or Gavial (Gavialis gangeticus)
14. 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).
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Conservation projects in Pakistan
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.
19. Turtles
These magnificent creatures come in all shapes and sizes and live in a
number of different environments. They all belong to a group
of reptiles called Testudines.
Turtles belong to one of the oldest reptile groups in the world – beating
snakes, crocodiles and alligators!
These creatures date back to the time of the dinosaurs, over 200 million
years ago !
In Pakistan there are Sea Turtels and Fresh water turtels.
21. Sea Turtles of Pakistan
Sea Turtles are a group of shelled
reptiles and belong to the order
Testudines or Chelonia.
Also included within this order are the
terrapins and tortoises.
22. Within the Chelonia there are 13 families. The
eight species of modern Sea Turtles are found
within two of these, the Dermnochelyidae and
the Cheloniidae.
The first family has only one Sea Turtle, the
Leatherback.
23. The other seven species of Sea Turtle are found
in the other family - the Cheloniidae.
Sea Turtles are large animals, the Leatherback
attaining a length of 2m and a weight of over
500 kg. (one caught off Wales in 1991 weighed
995 kg
25. Family: CHELONIIDAE (Marine Turtles)
This Family is represented in Pakistan by four
species of marine turtles: Green Sea Turtle,
Olive Ridley Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle and the
Lagger Headed Turtle. Only 2 species are
mentioned here:
Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas japonica)
Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea olivacea)
26. Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas
japonica)
General characteristics:
The Green Turtle is the largest of the hard-shelled sea turtles (the
Leatherback Dermochelys can grow much larger) although size, weight,
and carapace shape can vary markedly between different populations.
Average nesting female carapace length 80 to 110cm and weighs 110 to
185kg.
27. Habitat, Distribution and Status:
The beaches of Pakistan are some of the most important nesting grounds for the Green
Turtles.
Each year thousands of female Green Turtles come to the beaches of Hawksbay and
Sandspit off the coast of Karachi to lay their eggs.
The Sind Wildlife Department in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan is working on a
project for safe release of turtle hatchling to the Arabian sea since 1980's.
Green Turtle nests are laid throughout the year, with most nests occurring between
July and December.
The egg are carefully kept in closed enclosers and released after the hatchlings are
hatched.
28. Fresh Water Turtels of Pakistan
Freshwater turtles of Pakistan are found in the entire
Indus River system including its tributaries, irrigation
canals, ponds and water reservoirs.
Pakistan has eight species of freshwater turtles which
dominate aquatic habitats.
Freshwater turtles play a significant role in aquatic
ecosystem being scavengers.
32. Lizards
Lizards are one of the most interesting and diverse species on the
planet.
The largest species of lizard in the world can grow up to around ten
feet; this is the Komodo dragon.
The vast majority of lizard species are not venomous, however there
are two species that are thought to have a toxic venom; these are the
Mexican bearded lizard and the Gila monster.
There are over 5,500 different lizard species recognised worldwide.
33. Lizards of Pakistan
Family: VARIANIDAE (Monitor Lizards)
Monitors are among the oldest living lizards.
They are characterized by a long, forked, snakelike tongue, and are able to engulf and
swallow large prey whole.
They are sleek, fast runners with tapered heads, long necks, strong legs, and long,
powerful tails.
Monitors feed on insects, birds, reptiles and their eggs, small mammals, and carrion.
The monitor lizard is an inhabitant of agricultural as well as desert Ecozones in
Pakistan.
Monitors are quiet common in the province of Sind and Baluchistan.
34. Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens)
Local Name: Goa(Urdu)
Family: VARIANIDAE
Genus: Varanus
Status: Rare and restricted
Warning: This lizard inflicts a powerful bite with its long, strong and
sharp teeth
35. General characteristics:
The Yellow Monitor has a snout-vent length 500-515 mm, tail
575-600 mm.
The dorsum reddish brown, body and tail barred with
alternating dark-edged reddish brown and dirty yellow bars,
ventrum light yellow.
36. Habitat, Distribution and Status:
The yellow monitor is a poorly known species and is
considered to be one of the most endangered monitor
lizards.
It is found only in Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Pakistan
(Minton 1966; Smith 1932; Swan & Leviton 1962;
Auffenberg et al 1989; Sarker 1987).
37. It is a lizard of seasonally flooded forests, and marshy areas in flood
plains of the Indus River and its tributaries.
It extends into tilled fields along water courses with mesic habitat,
and usually burrows in the roots of trees and other vegetation.
This varanid has a restricted distribution range.
It has been reported from Salt Range and District Sialkot in northern
Punjab , and the Sindh Delta in Pakistan .
It is known to extend to the western Bengal .
40. Snakes
Snakes evolved from a four-legged reptilian ancestor—most likely a small, burrowing,
land-bound lizard—about 100 million years ago.
Some snakes, such as pythons and boas, still have traces of back legs.
Snakes live on everywhere on Earth except Ireland, Iceland, New Zealand, and the
North and South Poles.
Approximately 725 species of venomous snakes present worldwide, 250 can kill a
human with one bite.
Some animals, such as the Mongoose, are immune to snake venom. The decapitated
head of a dead snake can still bite, even hours after death.
These types of bites usually contain huge amounts of venom.
41. Pakistan Has snakes divided
on the Basis of their habitat
like,
Terrestrial Snakes
and Sea snakes.
42. Venomous Terrestrial Snakes of Pakistan:
Common Krait:
Local Name: Sung Choor (Urdu)
Family: ELAPIDAE
Genus: Bungarus
Status: Common
Warning: This snake is deadly poisonous. The venom is highly toxic.
It bites rarely, but in one study 77 percent of victims died. Treatment should
be given to the victim immediately if bitten
43. General characteristics:
The common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) is a medium-sized snake, head
barely distinguishable from neck; loreal scale absent; small dark eyes,
round pupil, barely visible in life.
Dorsum jet black to deep blue, which on preservation becomes dark :
bluish luster.
A series of 3—9 light vertebral spots followed by 38—56 paired narrow
transverse bands.
Supralabials and body ventrum white. Snout-vent length 1110-1125 mm,
tail 145-157 mm.
44. The Sindhi Krait (Bungarus sindanus) has 17 midbody
scale rows; ventrals 220-237, subcaudals 49-52.
The dorsum is jet black, first light stripe appears at the
level of 11 to 15th ventral.
Snout-vent length 1029-1034 mm, tail 135-137 mm.
45. Habitat and Distribution:
The Kraits in Pakistan are found from coastal lowlands north and
eastward to Waziristan and Quetta regions.
Also found near southwestern Pakistan coast not far from Iran-Pakistan
border.
This snake is found in dry open plains, in termite mounds, in burrows of
small rodents, beneath debris, at elevations as high as 1,700 meters.
It needs ample water supply, so may be found in moist and wet areas
such as wells or tanks containing water.
Often found near or in human habitation.
46. Indian Python(Python Molurus)
Local name: Azdaha (Urdu)
Description and Biology:
The Indian python is one of the world's largest
snakes, sometimes reaching lengths of more than
20 feet.
Pythons prey on birds and other reptiles, but they
prefer small mammals, such as rats.
47. In many parts of their remaining natural range, pythons keep rodent
populations in check -- a valuable ecological role that is generally
unappreciated by local human inhabitants.
Pythons -- like snakes everywhere -- tend to be regarded as dangerous and
are often killed on sight.
The Indian Python does not wriggle like other snakes, but moves by wave-
like movements of its ribs.
It is not poisonous and kills its prey by constriction with its body coils,
before swallowing its victim head first.
It is an good swimmer as well
48. Habitat and Distribution:
The Indian pyhton is mainly a jungle dweller, but in Pakistan it is found in vegetation
near rivers and lakes.
The major threat to the Indian python is a familiar one: loss of habitat to expanding
human populations.
Their favorite habitat was scrub land, considered waste land by local people.
But with the introduction of modern farming methods in such areas are being
converted for agricultural use. Now it is only found in Southern Sind, where its
numbers are diminishing.
Only a few pythons have been reported in district Sanghar in Sindh.
It is also hunted indiscriminately for its precious skin.
49. Indian Cobra (Naja naja naja)
Local Name:Sheesh Nag, Kala Nag (Urdu)
Family:ELAPIDAE
Genus:Naja
Status:Common
Warning:This snake is deadly poisonous. The venom is
highly toxic. Snake bite symptoms begin approximately 8
minutes after bite. Treatment should be given to the victim
immediately if bitten.
50. General characteristics:
The Indian or Spectacled cobra (N.n.naja) is a medium-sized, heavy snake;
head not distinct from neck which is dilatable in life into a broad hood;
loreal scale absent; single fang on each side, followed by 1—3 small solid
teeth;
scales smooth shiny, in 21—23 at midbody; ventrals 182—196, subcaudals
53—67.
Single pair of prefrontals, absence of loreal scale and smooth dorsals.
51. Habitat, Distribution and Status:
Cobra frequents different habitats:
grasslands, vegetation along tilled fields, along water courses,
semidesert forests, barns, ruins with grassy growths and around
villages.
It is plentiful in paddy growing areas, where it is attracted bv mice
and poultry into living houses.
It climbs into the branches of trees in search of nesting birds.
Often it become resident in rat holes after consuming its occupant.
52. Venomous Sea Snakes:
There are around 55 species of sea snakes which are found in the seas of the world but
in the coastal waters of Pakistan, only 14 species have so far been recorded.
Sea snakes include the group of poisonous snakes which have fangs that are fixed in
front of the upper jaw.
This type of fang is called Proteroglyphous. On land, poisonous snakes.
Cobra and Krait, have such fangs.
Another type of fang called Solenoglyphous does not exist in sea snakes as it is
characteristic of Vipers.
53. Sea snakes produce venom from a poison gland that acts on the
victim's nervous system.
Its poison contains neurotoxin operating on the nerve cells of the
victim. Neurotoxin paralyses the respiratory system, ultimately
causing death.
The phenomenon is the same as in the case of Cobra and Krait
poisoning.
However, the poison of a sea snake is severer than that of a
Cobra or a Krait.
54. The following characteristics distinguish the sea
snakes from the land snakes:
1. Laterally compressed fin-like tail.
2. Body is flattened side to side, accompanied by loss of
ventral plates.
55. Identification:
Identification of living sea snakes in the water is usually
based on their colour pattern, habitat, and behaviour.
This requires practice and experience.
In the laboratory, snakes are identified according to the
number and characteristics of the scales on their head,
body, belly and tail.
56. Economic importance:
1) The skin of sea snakes is very much valued in Hong Kong and Singapore
because of its use in bags, shoes and purses etc.
2) They are sometimes used for human consumption. Sea snakes are sold in
the fish market at Hai-ho" (Haiman), where they are chopped up to make
sausages and are eaten by the natives of Tahiti in the South Pacific.
3) The poison extracted from sea snakes is used to prepare anti-venom in
many countries. In Pakistan, however, sea snakes are neglected.Those
caught during fishing are destroyed, killed, and thrown away.
57. Species:
Enhydrina schlstosa
Beaked Sea Snake
Lapemis curtus (Shaw)
Short Sea Snake
Praescutata viperlna (Schmidt)
Viperine Sea Snake
Microcephalophis gracllis gracilis (Shaw)
Common small headed sea snake
Microcephalophis cantorls
Cantor small-headed sea snake
And so on…..
