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Maharashtra, India
Department of Zoology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2025.1411000115
Received: 29 November 2025; Accepted: 06 December 2025; Published: 24 December 2025
ABSTRACT:
India is also known as the ‘Land of Snakes’. as there are about 300 snakes located in different habitats which
includes more than 60 venomous, more than 40 semi-venomous, , and approximately 180 non-venomous
species. Out of venomous species main are Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Saw Scaled Viper , and Krait, the
remaining species are either semi-venomous or non-venomous. But still most people are afraid of snakes as
they don’t know much about them, is the prime reason for decline of this fascinating creature. Vidarbha has an
arid topography with high temperatures, and other climatic conditions that favour the reptilian fauna. Very few
researcher studied snakes diversity in Vidarbha, and hence there is a need to study ophidian fauna.
The specimens were observed during the visit of the probable habitats or the rescuers associated with different
NGOs, photographed, and identified with the help of keys, and methods suggested by Daniel (2002) Whitaker,
and Captain (2004) , and Khaire (2010).
In the present study, diversity of this ophidian fauna is identified, and found six families of snakes namely
Typhlopidae, Pythonidae, Boidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, , and Viperidae , and represent 19 species. Out of the
total identified species four venomous snakes, thirteen non-venomous, and two semi- venomous are reported
during the month from August 2018 to March 2019. The habitats, and other ecological parameters along with
the existence of ophidian form we can correlate in the future part of the study.
Key words: Ophidian fauna, Venomous, Semivenomous, Nonvenomous, Amravati.
INTRODUCTION:
Generally, snakes are supposed to be venomous , and most people fear even to having a glance at them when
they appear in closed areas or when brought by snake-charmers. The snake probably originated well before the
Cretaceous period still the oldest fossil record of snakes dates to the early Cretaceous (130 million years ago) ,
and this group became abundant in the late Cretaceous period (Rage, 1987).
Snakes are the most mesmerizing, and intriguing animals in the world. Particularly in India the knowledge
about Snakes are more fabled than factual. Various superstitions create fear in people’s mind. On the whole,
snakes are undoubtedly the most misunderstood , and most likely suffered animal, primarily based on myth,
and superstitions (Baruah, and Sengupta, 1996). There are 18 ophidian families through out the world,
comprising 456 genera, and over 2,900 species. In India, 278 species, while in Maharashtra, approximately 59
species (Khaire 2010). In India, snakes are worshiped, and because of abundance it, is also called the Land of
Snakes (Deane, 1833, https://en.wikipedia.org).
Snakes vary in length from 15 cm to 11 m , and in weight from a few grams to several kilograms. They can
survive at high altitudes of more than 5000m, and in several kilometer deep water. Snakes occupied deserts,
forests, marshy, swampy places, lakes, streams, and rivers of rugged terrains (Dhamankar, 2006). They always
try to shelter on the ground. There are popular places to hide, including log, and leaf piles, cracks, and crevices
in foundations, rock walls, narrow spaces beneath decks , and outbuildings, dense patches of vegetation,
2
, Fayaz Ahmed
1
Hemlata P. Nandurkar
Study of Ophidian Faunal Diversity in Amravati Region of
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which also provide their food sources for rodents. (Whitaker , and Captain 2008; Khaire 2010). Variation in
their sizes, shapes are due to adaptive radiation in mode of life (N, ande , and Deshmukh, 2007).
To maintain the ecosystem, snakes play an essential role, significantly important prey for other predator
species in many ecosystems. Snakes are also excellent ecological indicators because they are sensitive to
temperature , and climate change (Beaupre , and Douglas, 2009). Unfortunately, snake species have received
less ecological attention than other.
In India, 80% of the species are harmless, , and only 20 % are venomous. Thirteen known species are
venomous, and out of these, four, namely Naja naja, Daboia russelii, Echis carinatus, and Bungarus
caeruleus, are highly venomous, and believed to be responsible for most of the poisonous bites in India
(Warrell, 2010). Venomous snakes with medical importance are predominantly front-fanged , and belong to
Atractaspididae, Elapidae, , and Viperidae (Tasoulis , and Isbister, 2017). Due to the unique features snakes
exhibit in their crawling locomotion, biting defense fascinate, and made them important group of predators to
maintain a natural balance in the forest, agriculture ecosystem (Harney, 2011).
In India, an estimated 35,000–50,000 lives are lost per year due to snake bite (Warrell, 2010), of which every
year about 2000 deaths occur due to snake bite in Maharashtra, the majority remain unreported as the record of
the victim going to traditional healers is unavailable (Bawaskar , and Bawaskar, 1992). Mortality rate also
increased due to delayed medical aid or ignorance towards the correct treatment of snakebite (Bawaskar , and
Bawaskar, 2002).
In India among 60 ovoviviparous snake species which includes the shield tail, s, and boas, vine snakes,
estuarine snake, most sea snake, vipers , and pit vipers while Cobras, Pythons, Checkered Keelback , and the
King Cobras etc are egg layers without showing parental care. The young ones have to search for their own
food , and escape from predators on their own (Whitaker , and Captain, 2004).
Snakes, being an integral part of the ecosystem, play a vital role in pest control. In a food chain, an organism
acts as either a prey or a predator. In India, several anthropogenic pressures, including hunting, poaching,
habitat loss , and illegal agricultural encroachment etc are the reasons by which snakes are on the verge of
extinction. The killing of the snakes is for the commercial exploitation of their skin , and venom. Snake skins
are in high demand in the leather industry for the preparation of wallets, bags, purses, belts, and other fashion
articles which are greatly demanded by the high-profile society, and fetch high prices. In India in 1968, about
10 million snakes were slaughtered only for trade (Inskipp, 1981). Similarly, a tannery in South India was
reported to h, andle 9000 snakes per day (Daniel 1970). Apart from the skin trade, there is an illegal market for
snake venom across the country (Dubey et al., 2009). Human activities significantly affect snake population
through due to over harvesting, habitat destruction, and also direct killing by humans due to fear of
envenomation etc. (Dodd 1987).
Reptile’s decline, across the globe is not justified due to habitat destruction by Alford , and Richards (1999);
Gibbons et al., (2000). Habitat fragmentation due to house building , and road construction (Bennet , and
Saunders, 2002) , and commercial forestry operations negatively affect the species, (Ash 1996, Gibbs 1998a,
Martin , and McComb 2003).
Under India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, snakes are protected as Schedule, I, II, , and IV species.
Schedule I includes the Indian Rock Python, Python morulus, Schedule II includes King Cobra, Ophiophagus
hannah, Cobra, Naja naja, Monocled Cobra, Naja kaouthia , and Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelii). Schedule
IV lists other, but still need protection.
The present study is an attempt to document the diversity of snakes in Amravati district Maharashtra, since
there is an acute paucity of established work, and data on this subject to date
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MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study was conducted from August 2018 to March 2019, as Snakes are the most active during monsoon,
and post monsoon. The study areas selected were Wadali, Mahadeo-Khori, M.I.D.C., Uttamsara, Akoli,
Navasari, Rahatgaon, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati , and the Amravati region campus,
farmland, and forest areas.
During study, after detection, specimens were photographed, and identified using keys , and methods
described, by Daniel (2002), Whitaker , and Captain (2004), and Khaire (2010). The camera used for
photography was a Nikon-L 810 (24X zoom), and sometimes due to unavailability of DSLR camera
photographs were taken by a mobile camera.
Observation, and Results:
During the study period, the captured snakes were identified , and classified under 06 families, namely
Typhlopidae, Pythonidae, Boidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, , and Viperidae represent 19 species. Out of the total
identified species four venomous snakes, thirteen non-venomous , and two semi-venomous were reported.
Overall, studies confirm that anthropogenic act resulted into habitat fragmentation through irrigation, road
construction industrialization etc are the main reasons to frequent encounter of snakes with human residential
areas (Urfi 1999; Joshi, (2011).
The present study reveals that the study area includes a rich diversity of snakes. Local people are found to kill
both the venomous, and non-venomous snakes due to a lack of knowledge , and fear of being bitten (Chetty,
2010). Some tribes use different snakes as traditional medicines as seen in other parts of India (Jamir , and Lal,
2005; Negi et al., 2007).
Table No. 1. Checklist of Snake species from Amravati District
S
N
Family
Species Name*
Common Name*
Local Name
Typ
e
Lengt
h
Max
#
(inche
s)
WP
A
1.
Typhlopid
ae
Ramphotyphlops
braminus
Common worm
snake
Waala
NV
006
IV
2.
Pythonida
e
Python molurus
molurus
Indian rock
python
Ajgar
NV
124
I
3.
Boidae
Eryx johnii
Red s, and boa
M, andool
NV
036
IV
Gongylophis conicus
Common s, and
boa
Durkya
ghonas
NV
038
IV
4.
Colubrida
e
Lycodon aulicus
Common wolf
snake
Kavadya
NV
018
IV
Macropisthodon
plumbicolour
Green Keelback
Gavatya
NV
024
IV
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Abbreviations: V=Venomous, NV= Non-Venomous, SV-Semi-Venomous,
*According to Captain and Whitaker (2008) #: Visual encounter
Non-Venomous snakes:
Fig 1: Ramphotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) Fig 2: Python molurus molurus (Linnaeus, 1758)
/Brahmini Worm Snake / Indian Rock Python
Oligodon arnesis
Common kukri
snake
Kukri saap
NV
018
IV
Ptyas mucosa
Indian rat snake
Dhaman
NV
090
II
Amphiesma stolatum
Striped Keelback
Naneti
NV
018
IV
Argyrogena
fasciolata
B, anded racer
Dhool
Nagin
NV
040
IV
Coelognathus helena
helena
Common trinket
snake
Taskar
NV
048
IV
Sibynophis
subpunctatus
Black headed
snake
Krisna-
shesh
NV
018
IV
Xenochrophis
piscator
Checkered
Keelback
Pan-divad
NV
048
II
Boiga trigonata
Indian cat snake
Manjrya
SV
030
IV
Psammophis
longifrons
Stout s, and snake
Jada reti
sarp
SV
048
IV
5.
Elapidae
Bungarus caeruleus
Common krait
Manyar
V
060
IV
Naja naja
India spectacled
cobra
Naag
V
075
II
6.
Viperidae
Daboia russelii
Russell’s viper
Ghonas
V
048
II
Echis carinatus
Saw-scaled viper
Phurse
Ghonas
V
024
IV
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Fig 3: Gongylophis conicus (Schneider, 1801) Fig 4: Eryx johnii (Russell, 1801) / Red Sand Boa
Common Sand Boa
Fig 5: Lycodon aulicus(Linnaeus, 1758) Fig 6: Macropisthodon plumbicolour(Cantor, 1839)
/ Common Wolf Snake / Green Keelback
Fig 7: Oligodon arnensis(Shaw, 1802)/ Fig 8 : Ptyas mucosa (Linnaeus, 1758)/ Rat Snake
Common Kukri
Fig 9: Amphiesma stolatum Fig 10: Argyrogena fasciolata (Shaw, 1802)
/ Striped Keel-back Snake / Banded Racer
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Fig 11: Coelognathus helena helena (Daudin 1803) Fig 12: Sibynophis subpunctatus (Dumeril 1854)
/ Common Trinket Snake / Black headed snake
Fig 13: Xenochrophis piscator (Schneider, 1799)/ Checkered Keelback
Semivenomous Snake:
Fig 14: Boiga trigonata (Bechstein, 1802) Fig 15: Psammophis longifrons (Boulenger, 1897)
/ Common Cat Snake / Stout Sand Snake
Venomous Snake:
Fig16: Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider, 1801) Fig 17: Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758)
/ Common Krait / Indian Spectacled Cobra
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Fig 18: Daboia russelii (Shaw and Nodder 1797) Fig19: Echis carinatus (Schneider 1801)
/ Russell’s viper / Saw Scaled Viper
DISCUSSION:
For the ophidian diversity study, the main contributions are of Whitaker (2002), Whitaker , and Captain
(2004), and Khaire (2010). According to Whittaker, and Captain (2008), and Khaire (2010) there are 278 snake
species belonging to 11 families in India. Families , and number of representatives belong to the families are
Typhlopidae (18), Leptotyphlopidae (01), Uropeltidae (34), Xenopeltidae (01), Pythonidae (02), Boidae (03),
Acrochordidae (01), Colubridae (157), Elapidae (17), Hydrophidae (20), Viperidae (24).
As well, many researchers have also given their valuable contributions in the enrichment of knowledge about
snakes in the Indian context like Murthy (1985) who classified, and distributed of the Reptiles in India, as well
as he studied the rare snakes of India. Vyas (1998, 1999, and 2000) documented the reptiles of Gujarat state,
and studied the captive breeding, development, , and moulting of snakes. Das (1997) published a checklist of
the Reptiles of India with English common names.
Very few researchers have studied the ecology of snakes especially in the environmental conditions of
Maharashtra. The first significant study was conducted by D’Abreu (1928). He had made a comprehensive
collection of snakes for the Central Museum, Nagpur, which provides information on reptiles of Vidarbha in
general, and Amravati in particular. After his work, Khaire and Khaire (1985) published a checklist of snakes
of the adjoining region of Poona, Maharashtra. In the Amravati division, Wadatkar (2003) documented the
Herpetofauna (Amphibians, and Reptiles) of Amravati University Campus, which stated the presence of 12
snake species belonging to Typhlopidae (01), Pythonidae (01), Boidae (01), Colubridae (05), Elapidae (02),
and Viperidae (02). Nande and Deshmukh (2007) recorded 32 snake species belonging to six families from
Amravati district Typhlopidae (02), Pythonidae (01), Boidae (02), Colubridae (20), Elapidae (04), and
Viperidae (03).
Upadhye et al., (2012) studied the herpetofauna of the Mumbai University Campus, in Maharashtra. The
investigator reported 12 snake species, two gecko species, three skink species , and one species of Calotes in
his study. Vyas (2013) evaluated Snake diversity, and voluntary rescue practices in cities in Gujarat State , and
reported 22 snake species belonged to 6 families.
Bansod , and More (2018) evaluated the diversity of ophidian fauna in Palghar district (M.S.) with respect to
occurrence, abundance, and species richness, and further assist in the knowledge, awareness, and conservation
of snake fauna in this region.
However, the above literature suggests that numerous ophidian species are present in the Vidarbha region of
Maharashtra, which mainly belong to the families Typhloidae, Pythonidae, Boidae, Colubridae, Elapidae , and
Viperidae; hence there is a need for extensive survey for the addition of more species.Thus, the work done by
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the researchers on ophidian diversity in Vidarbha in general, and Amravati in particular, is scanty, more to be
made especially in Amravati region.
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