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AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF NEPAL
LIZARDS AND CROCODILES

A CHILDREN’S BOOK

gkfnsf peor/ tyf ;l/;kx¿
5kf/fx¿ / ufxLx¿ afnk:ts

H. Hermann Schleich & Kaluram Rai

xdg :NofOv tyf sfn/fd /fO

Published by

ARCO-Nepal reg. soc.

ksfzs cfsf gkfn O=eL=

1

Amphibians and Reptiles

Class: Reptilia, Reptiles, N: Sarisripaharu

Vertebrates with mostly 4 limbs; normally 5 clawed digits. Limbs are lacking in snakes. There are many lizards with reduced limbs and digits. Reptile skin is covered by horny structures of different size (scales, plates, granules, tubercles etc.) and provided with few glands. All main reptilian groups are represented in Nepal: Crocodiles (Order Crocodylia) with 2 species, turtles and tortoises (Order Testudines) with about 15, and scaled reptiles (Order Squamata) with about 40 lizard and about 70 snake species.

Order Crocodylia - Crocodiles
Crocodiles, N: Gohiharu

Large to very large aquatic reptiles with a laterally flattened tail and with digits webbed; 5 fingers and 4 toes. Eyes and nostrils are placed on the highest parts of the head. The ears can be closed with a valve. The skin is covered with thick horny plates which are – at least dorsally – underlain with an armour of flat bones. They lay large clutches of oval eggs, being deposited in nests which are dug into sand or consist of large mounds of rotting plants. The nests are guarded by adults. When the eggs are close to hatching, the juveniles inside them start squawking. At this acoustic signal a parent opens the nest, even helps the juveniles out of the eggshell.

The offspring is then carried to the water in a parent’s mouth.

Family: Crocodylidae -True crocodiles, N: Gohi Family: Gavialidae – Gharials

This family comprises only a single species, the Gangetic gharial, a specialised fish eater with a thin and prolonged snout.

Order Squamata - Scaled reptiles

This group comprises lizards and snakes in two suborders. SAURIA, Lizards (Saurians), N: Chheparaharu Khokchale (Rai), Chaparase Sherpa) With the exception of the geckos (Family Gekkonidae) all Nepalese lizards have movable eyelids. In geckos, skinks and Glass lizards tails break easily. Amputation is facilitated e.g. by fracture plains in tail vertebrae. In the first two families the tail regenerates to a

considerable length. All Nepalese lizards with the only exception of Theobald’s toadhead agama (Phrynocephalus theobaldi), the East

Himalayan forest skink (Sphenomorphus indicus) and perhaps some populations of the Glacier skink (Asymblepharus ladacensis) lay eggs.

2

Family: Varanidae, Monitors, N: Gohoroharu

With total lengths of 80 resp. 175 cm the both Nepalese monitor species are by far the largest lizards of the country. Above all the well-armed Bengal monitor should be handled with care as it can inflict serious wounds with its sharp teeth and dispense heavy blows when lashing its long tail.

Family: Agamidae, Agamids, N: Chheparaharuko samuha

Diurnal lizards with well-developed limbs; the skin is often capable of a striking colour change. Male agamid lizards may show brilliant colours during courtship and have specific display actions.

Family: Anguidae, Glass lizards, N: Kudkesarpaharu

This species is the only legless Nepalese lizard. In other species maternal care was observed, the female coiling around the eggs. Family: Gekkonidae, Geckos, N: Bhittiharu & Mousuliharu, Phakcheba (Sherpa) Geckos are very frequent around human habitations and they can be easily distinguished from other lizards by their enlarged digits which allow them to adhere to smooth surfaces, even glass panes. Besides crocodiles, geckos are the only reptiles with a loud voice. They lay eggs with hard, calcified shells – mostly two – which are hid in crevices. All species hunt at dusk or during the night. Most of them can be seen basking by day.

Family: Scincidae, Skinks, N: Bhanemungroharu

The skinks are rather frequent, but not easy to catch and difficult to identify. Besides the Glass lizard, skinks are the only group of Nepalese lizards with a head covered by large symmetrical scutes. Their body scales are very thin, relatively large and overlapping, reminding fish scales. In most genera (except Eutropis) they are smooth and glossy. Skink tails are very fragile, and in the older and larger specimens practically almost all are regenerated and shorter than the original.

3

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ju -Snf;_ M /lK6lnof ;l/;kx¿ d08Lo rfkfofx¿ M ;fwf/0ftof gªuf;lxtsf kfrcfnf ePsf kf0fLx¿ o; judf kb5g . t/ ;kx¿sf eg xftkfp xbgg . w/h;f 5kf/fx¿sf klg 5f6f5f6f jf w/ ;fgf xftkfp tyf cfnfx¿ xG5g . o;sf 5fnf s8f vfn agfj6x¿ -sTnf vk6f, sf8 luvf, nGbf cflb_ x¿n 9flsPsf xG5 tyf sxL uGyLx¿ klg kfOG5g . ;l/;ksf kfoM ;a ;dx gkfndf kfOG5g . h:t c8/ M qmfsf8lnof -ufxL ;dx_ . o;sf sl/a bO khfltx¿ dfq gkfndf kfOG5g . c8/ M 6:68fOg -kfgL s5jf_ tyf kfv s5jfx¿_, o;sf sl/a !% khfltx¿ gkfndf kfOG5g . To; u/L c8/ M :sjfdf6f -sTnf ePsf ;l/;kx¿_ 5kf/f tyf ;kx¿ . gkfndf 5kf/fx¿sf sl/a $) khflt / ;kx¿sf &) khflt kfOG5 .

c8/ M qmfsf8nof -ufxLx¿sf pkju_ qmfsf8fon; M ufxLx¿ ;l/;kx¿dWo ;aeGbf 7nf z/L/ ePsf tyf RofK6 kR5/ / xftdf hflnbf/ kfr cf6f cfnf / v66fdf rf/ cf6f cfnf ePsfx? o; judf k5g . o;sf cfvf / gfs 6fpsfsf dflyNnf efudf xG5g . sfg 9sgLn 9fsfsf xG5 . 5fnf s8f vfnsf sf8 sTnfx¿n 9flsPsf xgsf ;fy 9f8tkm l;/blv kR5/;Dd ltvf sTnfsf nx/x¿ kfOG5g . afnjfsf vfN8f agfO 7nf7nf kmnx¿sf ykf kfg u5g . kmn kf/sf ykfnfO emf/kft, sxg nfusf sf7kft cflbn 9flslbP/ o;sf ;/Iff ug glhs 5pdf a:g u5 . kms sf8bf aRrfx¿ 3;b cfkm aflx/ lg:sG5g . aRrfx¿ cfkm kmnaf6 lg:sg ;sgg eg dfpn g vftn/ lgsflnlbG5 . aflx/ lgl:sPsf gjhft aRrfx¿nfO dfpn dvdf afs/ kfgL ePsf 7fp;Dd nUg sfd u5 .

kmldnL M qmfsf8fln8L -jf:tljs ufxL_, h:t M du/ ufxLx¿ kmldnL M UoflePln8L -3l8ofn ufxLx¿_ gkfndf o;sf ljzif ksf/sf nfdf gfs ePsf Pp6f dfq khflt kfOG5 .

c8/ M :sjfdftf -sTnf ePsf ;l/;kx¿_ o; ;dxdf 5kf/fx¿ / ;kx¿ kb5g / of bO pk;dx -;a c8/_ df afl8Psf 5 . ;fpl/of M 5kf/fx¿ -/fO efiffdf vfSrfn / ;kf efiffdf rk/f; elgG5_ gkfndf kfOg 5kf/fx¿dWo uSsf -leQL;dx_ afxs c? ;a 5kf/fx¿df lemDsfpg ;Sg k/nf -cfvfsf 9sgL rNg_ kfOG5 . dfp;nL cyjf leQLx¿, 6fs6fs / s8s ;kx¿sf kR5/ 6lqmg u5 . 6lqmg klqmof ;/Iffsf nflu xf . dfly pNnlvt bO khfltsf 6lqmPsf kR5/ kgM knfpg u5 . 5kf/fx¿dWo gK6 lxp5kf/f -lkmgfl;kmfn; lyofafN8L_, tlnof efgdªuf -:kmgfdfkmf; OlG8s;_ / lxdgbL efgdªuf -Pl;DAnkmf/; Nof8f;l;;_ afxs c?n kmn kfg ub5g .

4

kmldnL M cufld8L -kfy 5kf/f kl/jf/_ of lbp;f ;lqmo /xg / k0f ljsl;t rf/ kfp ePsf 5kf/f xf . o;sf 5fnfsf /ª l56fl56f kl/jtg xG5 . k0fosfndf efn kfy 5kf/fx¿ /ªlula/ªuL ePsf blvG5g .

kmldnL M PªuO8L -s8s ;k kl/jf/_ of gkfnsf Ps dfq xft v66f ljxLg 5kf/fx¿sf kl/jf/ xf . o;sf kfyLn cfˆgf kmnnfO sªlnª k// cfyf/f a;L :ofxfg u5 . o:tf :jefjnfO cleefjsLo :ofxf/ elgG5 .

kmldnL M uSsflg8L -leQL kl/jf/_ leQLx¿ / dfp;nLx¿ -;kf M kmfSrjf_ ;fwf/0ftof leQL jf sfStx¿ dfgj a;faf; ePsf :yfgx¿df kfOG5g . ;fy logLx¿sf cfnfx¿ df6f, v08v08 / 3/f3/f k/sf xgfn leQf, l;lnª tyf lrNnf ;txdf dfq xfOg Pgf jf l;;fUnf;df klg lx8g ;S5g . ufxLx¿afxs ;l/;kdWodf oxL khfltn dfq cfjfh lgsfNg ;S5 . logLx¿n s8f vf:6f ePsf bOcf6f kmn rkrfkdf jf vflaN6fx¿df kfg u5g . ;a khfltx¿n l/dl/d ;femdf, ld/ld/ laxfgLlt/ cyjf /flt aQL ansf anf rf/fsf vfhLdf lg:sG5g . kfoh;f logLx¿ lbp;f eg 3fd tfk/ latfpg u5g .

kmldnL M l;lG;8L, l:sªs;, g= efgdªufx? efgdªufx? gkfndf kz:t eP tfklg ;lhn logLx?nfO ;dft/ lrGg ;lsGg . s8s ;kafxs logLx?sf dfq lgwf/df a/fa/;u afl8Psf sTnfx? xG5g . logLx?sf z/L/df kftnf sTnfx? eP tfklg 7nf / df5fsf h:tf xG5g . kfoM ;a hfltsf -dajf afxs_ z/L/ lrNnf / lrKnf xG5 . o;sf kR5/ clt skmNnf xG5 / Tof rl8P/ kml/ knfpg xbf gofsf eGbf k/fgf efgdªufsf kR5/ 5f6f xG5 .

kmldnL M Eof/flg8L -ufxf/f kl/jf/_ gkfndf kfOg ufxf/fx¿ *) blv !)) ;lG6ld6/;Ddsf nDafO ePsf xG5g . logLx¿ gkfndf kfOg 5kf/fx¿dWo ;aeGbf 7nf khflt xg . lognfO xfl;of/L ;fy cjnfsg ugk5 lsgeg rnfpbf logLx¿sf ltvf gªuf / bftn lryfg ;S5g / nfdf kR5/ a6f// 3dfpbf logLx¿sf cf/fsf bft h:tf ltvf sf8fn rf6 k¥ofpg ;S5g .

5

  • Eof/fg; aªufngl;;, aªufn dflg6/
  • ]

Varanus bengalensis, Bengal monitor

Nepali names: Bhaise gohoro, Kalo gohoro

g]kfnL gfd M sfnf uu6f
;fOl6;åf/f ;/lIft

CITES I Protected!!

lrq M jois-afof_, aRrf

adult (left), juvenile

of s:tf blvG5 <M o; khfltsf nDafO l;/blv kR5/;Ddsf &%) blv
!))) ldlnld6/sf xG5 . o; khfltsf /ª klg aUnfaUn ksf/sf xG5 . logLx¿ joisdf Ps vfn kxNrfblv v/f ksf/sf / snf, sfnf Wjf; xG5g . ;fy lk7olt/ sfnf ;tf ldl;Psf yfKnfx¿ kfOG5g .

How it looks: Length + tail ca. 750 + 1000 mm. Coloration very variable. The adults are a uniform yellow to brown, grey or black, with a varying amount of lighter and darker spots on the back.

Where it lives: Extremely adaptable and inhabits very different habitats, ranging from regions with winter snow or saline deserts to evergreen tropical rain forest, but also including deciduous forests, scrub and grassland, river banks and dry ravines. It is often associated with water. In Nepal, it inhabits lowland and hills and is most common in a mosaic of farmland (e.g. rice fields) with open forests, in river valleys and Sal (Shorea robusta) woods.

of sxf a:5 <M of hxL klg afRg ;Sg hGtdf kb5 . of lxp kg
7fpblv lnP/ d?eld / ;bfjxf/ hªunx¿df klg a:5 . of ktem/ hªun, emf8L / 3f; rf/Ldf ;fy vfnfsf lsgf/f, ;Vvf 7fpx¿df klg a:5 . of slxnsfxL kfgLdf klg a:5 . gkfndf of t/fO, dwz, pkTosf, kxf8x¿df kfOG5 . / of ljzif u/L wfg vtL jf cGg vtL u/sf hdLgdf Hofbfh;f a:b5 .

of s;/L a:5 <M of kmtL;fy sbg ;S5 . cfˆgf jf;:yfgsf Ifqdf
3dsf 3Do ub5 . o;nfO df;sf / 5fnfsf nflu dfl/Pg eg

@@ jif;Dd afRg ;S5 . o;n cfˆgf hLjgsfnel/ hDdf #)

cf6f;Dd kmn kfg ;S5 .

How it lives: It is running and climbing excellent, roaming around a lot in its territory. They live up to 22 yrs, being threatened as hunted for meet and its skin. Laying till 30 eggs.

gkfndf o;sf kmnfj6M gkfndf of t/fO, dWo kxf8L eefublv @)$) ld6/;Ddsf prfOdf -/S;, Onfd_ ;Dd kmlnPsf kfOG5 . of kfOg ;aeGbf pRr 7fpdf eg jifsf sxL xKtf;Dd lxp klg kg ;S5 .

Distribution in Nepal: Terai and Midlands of all parts, up to 2,040 m (Rakshe, Ilam District). In the highest part of the range there is a snow cover for several weeks.

  • 6
  • 7

Eof/fg; ˆnfle;G;, PNnf dlg6/

gkfnL gfd M ;g ufxf/f

Varanus flavescens, Yellow monitor

Nepali names: Suun gohoro

;fOl6;åf/f ;/lIft

CITES I protected!!

How it looks: Length + tail: 410 + 510 mm; coloration often dirty yellowish, but very variable, many specimens showing red bands across the body.

of s:tf blvG5 <M o;sf lz/blv kR5/;Ddsf nDafO $!) blv %!) ldlnld6/;Ddsf xG5 . o;sf /ª kxNrf dnf sfnf xG5 t/ ljleGGf /ªx¿ ldl;Psf klg xG5 . w/h;f khfltx¿sf z/L/df /ftf/ftf kf6fx¿ kfOG5g .

of sxf a:5 <M of kfv/L tyf tnfpsf bnbn, 3f; rf/L / kfyfkfyLx¿df a:5 . of vfnfsf af9Ln agfPsf au/lt/, ;bfjxf/ emf8L jf hªunlt/ eg sd kfOG5, h:t l;Gw, uªuf jf aXdkq gbLx¿n agfPsf t6jtL Onfsfx¿ cflb . pRr kxf8L Ifqdf of kfObg . o;sf dflns jf;:yfgnfO vtLdf kofu ul/of eg of vfN8fvN8Llt/, l;rfO ul/Psf vtx¿lt/, dsaf/Lx¿df, wfgvtx¿df / df5f kflnPsf kfv/Lx¿df klg a:g yfN5 .

Where it lives: In lowland marshes and swamps, around ponds and lakes, rarer in mixed evergreen, secondary and Sal (Shorea robusta) forests, usually along the floodplains of large rivers of the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra systems, sometimes along streams in foothills, but never in mountain areas. With the conversion of the habitat to agricultural land, the species colonise villages, ditches, irrigated cultures of rice, maize, grass and fish farms.

How it lives: Most active during monsoon, diurnal, often seen in and around waters being an excellent swimmer. It is very endangered being hunted by men for food, paramedicine, skin and export. Lays till 30 eggs. Incubation takes about 150 days.

of s;/L a:5 <M of dg;gL jiffsf anf clt ;lqmo /xG5 / kfgLdf klg slxnsfxL ;xh kf8L vNg ;S5 . o;nfO dflg;x¿n df;, 5fnf, 3/n bjfO / aflx/km/ t:s/L ug ePsfn clt bne ePsf 5 . o;sf kmn sf/Ng cjlw !%) lbgsf xG5 .

Distribution in Nepal: Terai up to 316 m, from W to E.

  • g
  • ]

  • 8
  • 9

uSsf uSsf, 6fs

Gekko gecko, Tokay

Nepali names: Tokeh-tokeh, Kokte (Rai), Sungohoro

gkfnL gfd M 6fs 6fs, sfSt -/fO_

left

  • lrq bfof
  • F

How it looks: Max. total length: 395 mm. Colour greyish violet with reddish brown to red dots. Venter whitish to grey, sometimes spotted. Where it lives: Tropical forests on large trees and rocks. In towns, on and inside buildings even in rooms. How it lives: Calling starts in the middle of the cold season (December), attains its peak in March and fades in autumn. Distribution in Nepal: In extreme eastern Nepal, Terai and low Midlands; altitude 240-620 m.

of s:tf blvG5 <M o;sf clwstd nDafO #(% ldlnld6/Dd xG5 . o;sf /ª snf ahgLdf /ftf/ftf v/f ldl;Psf / lhpdf /ftf yfKnf ePsf xG5 . o;sf e8Llt/sf efu ;tf v/f / sgsgsf l5slds ;dt xG5 . of sxf a:5 <M of pi0fkbzLo hªundf /xsf 7nf ?v / r66fgx¿df a:g u5 .
;fy of ;x/sf 7nf ejgx¿df / slxnsfxL t sf7fleq klg k;/ a:g u5 . of s;/L afR5 <M of hf8f dlxgfsf dWolt/blv s/fpg ;? ug afgL axf/f ePsf khflt xf . j;Gt Ctdf of cTolws s/fp5 / z/b Ctblv s/fpg 5f85 . gkfndf o;sf kmnfj6M of gkfnsf ;b/kjltsf t/fO / dWo kxf8sf eefusf kmbLlt/ @$) blv ^@) ld6/ pRrfOsf eefudf kmlnP/ a:g khflt xf .

Calotes versicolor, Common garden lizard

Sofnfl6; el;s/n, sdg uf8g lnhf8

Nepali names: Baghaiche chheparo

female, right: male

gkfnL gfdM aur 5kf/f

kfyL bfof, efn afof

How it looks: Snout-vent length about 100 mm. Colour is light

of s:tf blvG5 <M o;sf ytgfblv dnåf/;Ddsf nDafO !)) ldlnld6/;Ddsf xG5 . of xNsf v/f cyjf snfsnf /ªsf blvG5 . o;sf cfvfsf 5paf6 sfnf rlDsnf wsfx¿ lg:ssf blvG5g . of sxf a:5 <M of hªunsf lsgf/flt/, aurfsf af/lt/, afemf kfvflt/, cªu/
3f/Llt/ ;fy vtLkftL nufOPsf hdLglt/ a:g u5 .

brown or greyish. Dark streaks radiate from the eye. Where it lives: At margins of woods, hedges, tangles of vines, found on cultivated land and gardens. How it lives: Spends cool months mostly hidden in vegetation, in hollow logs, under stones.

of s;/L a:5 <M of hf8f ofddf ljzif u/L emf/kftsf ykf leq, 76f d8fx?sf bnflt/ ;fy 9ªufsf rkrfklt/ nu/ a:g u5 .

Distribution in Nepal: Frequently in gardens, and one of the most encountered lizards of Nepal. Living from the Terai to the montane zone (to 2,300 m)

gkfndf o;sf kmnfj6M ;w h;f of aurfl/t g kfOG5 . ;fy of gkfndf kfOg
5kf/fx¿dWo dflg;;u w/h;f hDsfe6 eO/xg 5kf/f khfltsf xf . of t/fOblv @#)) ld6/;Ddsf pRr ePsf kxf8L eefudf ;dt kfOG5 .

  • 10
  • 11

nf8flsof 6oj/sn6f, 6a/sn68 cufdf

Laudakia tuberculata, Tuberculated agama

dfem

centre

gkfnL gfdM le/ 5kf/f

Nepali names: Bhir chheparo

of s:tf blvG5 <M o;sf ytgfblv dnåf/;Ddsf sn nDafO !@*ldlnld6/;Ddsf xG5 . o;sf /ª v/f snf xgsf ;fy lk7olt/ sfnf yfKnfx¿ xG5g . of sxf a:5 <M o;sf jf;:yfg 7nf r66fg / 9ªufx¿ g xg . o;sf ;fy vfN;fvfN;L / gbLsf lsgf/fsf le/kx/fsf 9ªufx¿df klg of a:g u5 . of s;/L a:5 <M of khflt lbp;f dfq ;lqmo /xG5 / /flt tyf hf8fsf ofddf rflx zLtsfnLg lgbfdf hfG5 .

How it looks: snout-vent -128 mm. Colour brownish grey to greyish black with pale dorsal dots. Where it lives: On rocky habitats, boulders, along streams, rivers, crevices in rocks, landslides and rocky slopes. How it lives: Diurnal with hibernation during cold days. Distribution in Nepal: W-E, from Terai to mountain zone.

gkfndf o;sf kmnfj6 M of gkfnsf klZrdblv kjlt/sf t/fO / kxf8sf eefudf kMmlnPsf kfOG5 .

Eutropis (ex Mabuya) carinata, Common Indian skink

o6flk; Sofl/gf6f, sdg OlG8og l:sªs

right

bfof

Nepali names: Bharatiya bhanemungro

  • gkfnL gfdM ef/tLo efgdªuf
  • |

How it looks: Length + tail 125 + 165 mm. Its colour is brown or bronze or olive and uniform or with dark spots, or streaks. The lower parts show whitish or yellow colour. Where it lives: In moist woodland and dense vegetation. Distribution in Nepal: Terai and Midlands up to 1,370 m, except the extreme W and E.

of s:tf blvG5 <M o;sf l;/blv kR5/;Ddsf nDafO !@% blv !^% ldlnld6/;Dd xG5 . o;sf lk7olt/ v/f, /ftf/ftf, lrNnf xl/of / Psgf;sf sfnfsfnf yfKnfx¿ jf kf6fkf6f xG5g . ;fy o;sf e8Llt/ ;tf jf kxNrf blvG5 . of sxf a:5 <M of cfl;nf hªunlt/ / afSnf emf8Llt/ a:5 . gkfndf o;sf kmnfj6M ;b/ klZrdafxs / kjL t/fO / !#&) ld6/ pRrfO;Ddsf dWo kxf8L Ifq;Dd kmlnPsf 5 .

o6flk; dfsnfl/of, aGh uf:s l:sªs

Eutropis (ex Mabuya) macularia, Bronze grass skink

left

afof

Nepali names: Kashe ghase bhanemungro

gkfnL gfdM sf; 3f; efgdªuf

How it looks: length + tail: 65 + 100 mm. The dorsum is bronze, with or without small dark spots in longitudinal rows. Where it lives: In grassland, sunny places in woodland; They use holes in the ground or fissures between rocks or in trees as refuges.

of s:tf blvG5 <M l;/blv kR5/;Ddsf nDafO ^% blv !)) ldlnld6/;Ddsf xG5 . o;sf lk7olt/ sf; /ªu / sfnf yfKnfx¿sf 7f8f nx/ xG5 . To:tf nx/ gxg klg ;S5 . of sxf a:5 <M of 3dfOnf 3f; rf/L / emf/ hªundf a:5 . o;sf ;fy eOsf
7nf 9ªufsf rkrfkdf / ¿vsf 6f8sfx¿df ;dt a:5 . gkfndf o;sf kmnfj6M gkfnsf klZrd / dWo t/fOsf eefusf #)) ld6/sf pRrfO;Dd o;sf kmnfj6 5 .

Distribution in Nepal: Western and central Terai, up to 300 m.

  • 12
  • 13

hfkfn/f Eofl/uf6f, efl/uf68 kmf/:6 cufdf

Japalura variegata, Variegated forest agama

Nepali names: Phite bhude chheparo

gkfnL gfd M lkmt e8 5kf/f

left: female, right: male

kfyL bfof , efn

How it looks: Length + tail: 94 + 144 mm. Its colour results from the combination of light yellow almost to black, a light upper lip, dark dorsal chevrons, light dorsolateral lines, dots on the flanks and a bluish gular in asserting males. Where it lives: Lives in the moistest regions of Nepal and inhabits dense and low vegetation on the margin of woods or along roads. Being strictly diurnal they remain hidden during the cold months.

of s:tf blvG5 <M o;sf l;/blv kR5/;Ddsf nDafO ($ blv !$$ ldlnld6/;Ddsf xG5 . o;sf /ª xNsf kxnf xb sfnf ldl;Psf xG5, dflyNnf cf7 xNsf ;tf, lk7olt/ sfnf 6f6f, lk7osf bjlt/af6 xNsf ;tf wsf / lt3fdf sfnf yfKnfx¿ Pjd efnx¿sf 3f6Ldlg gLnf xG5 . of sxf a:5 <M of gkfnsf cfl;nf :yfgx¿df / afSnf emf8L jf af6fsf
5p5fplt/ a:g u5 . of ljzif u// lbp;f dfq blvG5 t/ hf8f dlxgfdf eg zLtsfnLg lgbfdf hfG5 . gkfndf o;sf kmnfj6M of c?0f pkTosf eGbf kjlt/ sl/a @))) ld6/;Ddsf prfO;Dd kmlnPsf 5 .

Distribution in Nepal: From Arun Valley eastwards to 2000 m.

Ophisaurus gracilis, Glass lizard

cflkm;fp/; ufl;ln;, Unf; lnhf8

Nepali names: Kudake sarpa

gkfnL gfd M s8s ;k

centre

dfem

How it looks: Length + tail: 185+ 284 mm. Light or dark to of s:tf blvG5 <M o;sf l;/blv kR5/;Ddsf sn nDafO !*% blv @$* ldlnld6/;Ddsf xG5 . ;fy cw/f gLnfblv sfnf sfnf wsfx¿ o;sf z/L/df blvG5g . tL wsfx¿ gblvg klg ;S5g . lk7olt/ sfnf lsgf/f ePsf gLnf a§ yfKnfx¿ xG5g . slxnsfxL o;sf e8Llt/ O6f /ªsf /ftf yfKnfx¿ klg blvG5g .

reddish brown, with a darker to bluish black lateral stripe which can fade. Dorsal pattern elements are rows of bluish spots framed black or a dark vertebral stripe. Belly sometimes with brick red spots. Where it lives: Under logs and stones, also in cultivated landscapes. Distribution in Nepal: Well documented from Midlands of the extreme East; altitude 1,650-2,170 m (5,500 m outside Nepal).

of sxf a:5 <M 9ªuf tyf d9fdlg / vtLkftL ul/Psf hldgdf of a:g u5 . gkfndf o;sf kmnfj6M of ;b/kjsf dWo kxf8L eefult/ cyft !^%) blv
@!%) ld6/sf prfOdf kmlnPsf 5, -gkfnaflx/ eg %%)) ld6/;Dd klg kmlnPsf /s8 5_

14

8fsf :k;, ˆnfOª 8fug

Draco spec., Flying dragon

Nepali names: Udane chheparo

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