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Home , Ayodhyapuri, Banded krait, Banded kukri snake, Boiga trigonata, Buff striped keelback, Checkered keelback

Herpetological Conservation and Biology 7(1):46−57. Submitted: 28 February 2011; Accepted:12 December 2011; Published: 6 May 2012.

SNAKES IN THE VICINITY OF ,

DEB P. PANDEY

Department of Zoology, Birendra Multiple Campus, , Bharatpur-10, Chitwan, Nepal Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract.—Chitwan National Park (CNP) is situated in the south-central subtropical lowlands of the inner of Nepal. From 2002 to 2008, I collected in areas bordering the CNP. I also received preserved specimens and photographs of snakes from some residents in the area. I recorded 26 belonging to 20 genera. Of the 26 species, 12 were non- venomous species, five were mildly venomous (four back-fanged), and nine were venomous (eight front-fanged). kheriensis was previously known from two specimens only; from Kheri Division, , and Mahendranagar, western Nepal. This record extends the known range of this rare species about 350 km east of its locality.

Key Words.—checklist; Chitwan National Park; ; snakes; vipers

INTRODUCTION Earth (Google Inc., Mountain View, California, USA) to approximate the coordinates and altitude of the 12 study Nepal has a rich but understudied fauna. sites (S1–S12; Appendix 1). The region around the CNP Different authors list up to 90 snake species from Nepal, constitutes a 750-km2 buffer zone that is 55% including up to 22 venomous ones (Shrestha 2001; agricultural land and 45% community forests Schleich and Kästle 2002; Shah and Tiwari 2004). (Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation These are broadly distributed in the lowlands (70 m and Park People Project 2000). In addition to these elevation), in some valleys in the middle hills with a agricultural and forest habitats, there are 40 lakes within tropical climate, and in the Himalayan regions (up to the park and one lake (Bishazari Lake) outside that more than 4,800 m). Venomous snakes have been found provide suitable habitat for snakes of this region. at altitudes as high as 3,200 m in Nepal (Shah 1995; I surveyed the streams, community forests, and agro- Shah et al. 2003). ecosystems in selected study sites in vicinity of CNP Chitwan National Park (CNP), a World Heritage Site during daytime hours, especially in the hot/dry and the located in the south-central lowlands of Nepal, is famous rainy seasons, from 2002 through 2008. I used literature for its Greater One-horned Asian (Green 2000; Shah and Tiwari 2004) and field guides (Rhinoceros unicornis), Royal Bengal Tigers (Panthera (Whitaker 1978; Shrestha 2001; Schleich and Kästle tigris tigris), and (Gavialis gangeticus). 2002; Whitaker and Captain 2004; Vogel 2006) to However, very little is known about the snakes of identify snake species and assign venomous condition Chitwan National Park and its vicinity. Moreover, the (Nv = Non-venomous, Mv = Mildly venomous, Bf = literature on snakes and their diversity in different parts Back-fanged, Vs = Venomous secretion, V = of Nepal is exceptionally limited, though the first Venomous). Also, I sent some specimens to the Natural zoogeographical study of herpetofauna was published in History Museum, Tribhuvan University, Soyambhu, 1962 (Swan and Leviton 1962). The aim of this study is , and the Central Department of Zoology, to prepare a checklist of snake species found in the Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, for identification. After vicinity of CNP and gather information on the location identification, I released most of the captured snakes at of venomous species of snakes that would be important the point of capture, although a few were released in ecosystem and management. elsewhere in similar habitat. In this area, local residents typically bury killed snakes. I disinterred, studied, and MATERIALS AND METHODS photographed all the interred snakes reported by locals. In most cases, I reburied snakes in the same location if I I surveyed and collected snakes in Village could identify them immediately. I preserved others for Development Committee (VDC) areas of Chitwan (Fig. later identification. In addition, I also studied dead 1) and the Nawalparasi districts (Fig. 2) in the south- snakes from Bharatpur Hospital, , Nepal central, subtropical lowlands of Nepal in the vicinity of and other health institutes within the region. CNP. Surveys focused especially at the Madi Valley I preserved collected snakes in 10% formalin for south and southwest of CNP and near the Rapti and identification. During my field visits, I encouraged and Narayani Rivers, north and west of CNP. I used Google motivated local residents to collect and preserve any dead 46

Herpetological Conservation and Biology

84° 15’ 84° 40’

27° 50’ 27° 50’

27° 25’ 27° 25’

84° 15’ 84° 40’

NEPAL

FIGURE 1. Village Development Committee (VDC) areas in Chitwan District, Nepal where I surveyed for snakes (yellow with red dots).

47 Pandey.—Snakes in the Vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

83° 50’ 84° 15’

27° 50’ 27° 50’

27° 25’ 27° 25’

83° 50’ 84° 15’

NEPAL

FIGURE 2. Village Development Committee (VDC) areas in , Nepal, where I surveyed for snakes (yellow with red dots).

48 Herpetological Conservation and Biology

TABLE 1. Snake species recorded from different study sites in the vicinity of Chitwan National Park in Nepal. Study sites were Gaidakot, Nawalparasi (S1), Bharatpur, Chitwan (S2), Madi valley, Chitwan (S3), Pragatinagar, Nawalparasi (S4), area, Chitwan (S5), Devechuli, Nawalparasi (S6), Kawaswoti area, Nawalparasi (S7), Rampur area, Chitwan (S8), Nayabelani, Nawalparasi (S9), area, Chitwan (S10), , Chitwan (S11), and Deurali, Nawalparasi (S12). A plus sign (+) denotes the confirmed presence of a species. An asterisk (*) indicates the species recorded by a photograph only. Site descriptions are in Appendix 1.

Study Area Species S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 Ramphotyphlops braminus + + ------+ - - diardii + ------Eryx johnii* - - + ------Python bivittatus - - + ------+ - - Ahaetulla nasuta - - + + - - - - - + - - Amphiesma stolatum - + + - + ------ trigonata - - + ------Coelognathus helena - + + - - + - - - + - - Coelognathus radiatus - - + ------+ - - Dendrelaphis tristis - - + ------+ - - Enhydris sieboldii - - + - - - + - - + - - aulicus - + + ------+ - - Lycodon jara ------+ - - Oligodon arnensis - + + - - - + - - + - - Oligodon kheriensis* ------+ - - mucosa - - + - - - - + - + - - Rhabdophis subminiatus - - + ------ piscator - + ------+ - - caeruleus - + + - + - - - + + - - Bungarus fasciatus - - + - - - + - - + - - Bungarus lividus ------+ - - Sinomicrurus macclellandii univirgatus - + ------Naja kaouthia - - + ------+ - - Naja naja - - + - - - + - - + - - Ophiophagus hannah - - + - + - + - - - - - Cryptelytrops albolabris - - + - - + - - - - + +

snakes. If it was difficult to preserve a snake because of Table 2). I recorded 29% of the total snake species its size, location, or for other reasons, I instructed known to occur in Nepal. I found nine species (35%) in residents to take high resolution photographs. I deposited human-outdoor environments (e.g., yards, premises of the collected specimens in the museum of the Central residents, outdoor toilets, roadsides, and playgrounds), Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, eight species (31%) in crop-fields and farms, seven Kathmandu, Chitwan, and the Museum of Biodiversity species (27%) in water bodies (on or near to the banks of Conservation Center, , Chitwan. I also included water bodies, such as wells and water tanks) five species records of snakes for which no specimens were available, (19%) inside buildings (including on beds), four species using photographs only. (15%) at fences, two species (8%) in subterranean habitats (e.g., in decayed materials or burrows), and one RESULTS species (4%) in a grassy area of a garden.

I recorded 26 snake species belonging to 20 genera DISCUSSION (Table 1) and five families (Table 2). Snakes ranged from the smallest-bodied (6 cm) blind snake to the In this study, I found one worldwide rare snake largest-bodied (4 m) python (Figs. 3–6). Twelve of species (Oligodon kheriensis), a species new for this these snakes were non-venomous; five mildly venomous area, and a rare and venomous (back-fanged) snake (four of which were back-fanged) and nine were (Rhabdophis subminiatus) reported only from Chitwan, venomous snakes (eight of which were front-fanged; Nepal. Oligodon kheriensis was previously known only

49 Pandey.—Snakes in the Vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

TABLE 2. Checklist of snakes in vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal including scientific name, common English name, common vernacular name (if available), family (T = Typhlopidae, B = Boidae, C = , E = Elapidae, Vip = Viperidae), and venomous condition (Nv = Non- venomous, Mv = Mildly venomous, Bf = Back-fanged, Vs = Venomous secretion, V = Venomous).

Venomous Scientific Name Common Name Vernacular Name Family Condition Ramphotyphlops braminus Brahminy Worm Snake Andha Sarpa, Teliya T Nv Typhlops diardii Diard's Worm Snake Phusre Telia T Nv Eryx johnii Red Sand Boa/Brown Earth Boa Domukhe/Lide/Laxmi/Mate Sanp B Nv Python bivittatus Burmese Rock Python Ajingar B Nv Ahaetulla nasuta Common Vine Snake Sugia C Mv, Bf Amphiesma stolatum Striped/Buff-striped Keelback Bagale, Nauri/Nauria, Ashare, Harara C Mv, Bf Common Cat Snake Sanbe/Adhoo Sarpa, Tirishe, Batashe C Mv, Bf Coelognathus helena Common Trinket Snake Singare Sarpa C Nv Coelognathus radiatus Copper-headed Trinket Snake Singare Sarpa C Nv Dendrelaphis tristis Common Bronzeback Tree Snake Sirish C Nv Enhydris sieboldii Siebold’s Smooth-scale Water Snake Dhod, Machhagidhi C Mv, Bf Lycodon aulicus Common Wolf Snake Dhamiloo Sanp, Chichinde C Nv Lycodon jara Yellow-speckled Wolf/Twin-spotted Wolf Snake (not available) C Nv Oligodon arnensis Common/ (not available) C Nv Oligodon kheriensis Coral Red Kukri Snake (not available) C Nv Asiatic Snake Dhamin, Dhamila, Muse Sarpa C Nv Rhabdophis subminiatus Red-necked Keelback (not available) C V, Bf Xenochrophis piscator Pani Sarpa C Mv, Vs Bungarus caeruleus Common Krait Krait, Chure, Setokalo-Chure E V Bungarus fasciatus Panhelokalo Chure E V Bungarus lividus Lesser Black Krait Kalo Krait E V Sinumicrurus macclellandi MaCelland’s Coral Snake Setofetawal Nag, Karkat Nag E V univirgatus Naja kaothia Monocled Goman, Nag, Paniadarad E V Naja naja Spectacled/Common Cobra Goman, Nag E V Ophiophagus hannah Queta, Raj Goman E V Cryptelytrops albolabris White-lipped Green Pit-viper Harau, Harau Sanp Vip V

from two specimens; from Kheri Division, Uttar subminiatus imprecisely from CNP, but Shah and Tiwari Pradesh, India and Mahendranagar, western Nepal (2004) confirmed its occurrence in Chitwan, which (Smith 1981, Schleich and Kästle 2002). My record of supports my finding. Because of these few records, both this species from the Village Development D. russelii and R. subminiatus are considered rare snake Community, Chitwan, extends the known range of this species in Nepal and Chitwan. Given this, further rare species about 350 km east of its type locality. I extensive and precise searches for Daboia and recorded it in mid-afternoon (1556), 6 April 2002, in an Rhabdophis should be carried out to verify their open cultivated land while it was still. Eryx johnii has existence and distributional patterns in this and other been reported from three sites other than my study regions of Nepal. Because knowledge of venomous region (Schleich and Kästle 2002), and Shah and Tiwari snakes is useful in these areas, understanding the (2004) reported it from Parsa near Chitwan. So, it might distribution of these two species may assist in the be new record for this region. I found eight species of selection and development of antivenom and for front-fanged venomous snakes, but not Daboia russelii, snakebite management in Nepal. which previous authors had reported from the region I also found Typhlops diardii, which Schleich and (Shah and Tiwari 2004) and some other parts of Nepal Kästle (2002) and Shah and Tiwari (2004) have reported (Bhetwal et al. 1998; O´Shea 1998; Shah and Tiwari from this area, although O’Shea (1998) and Shrestha 2004). I collected only one specimen of Rhabdophis (2001) reported it only from Bardia region of western subminiatus from Chitwan, which Wall (1923) first Nepal. However, T. diardii was considered uncommon in reported in Nepal without specific locality data. this region (O’Shea 1998; Shrestha 2001). Schleich and Similarly, Schleich and Kästle (2002) reported R. Kästle (2002) and Shah and Tiwari (2004) also reported

50 Herpetological Conservation and Biology

A B

C D

E F

FIGURE 3. Live snakes recorded in vicinity of the Chitwan National Park, Nepal. A: Rhamphotyphlops braminus, Brahminy Worm Snake (photographed by Kapil Pokherel); B: Python bivittatus, Burmese Rock Python (photographed by Bishnu B. Lama); C: Ptyas mucosa, Asiatic (mating; photographed by Deb P. Pandey); D: Coelognathus helena, Common Trinket Snake (juvenile; photographed by Deb P. Pandey); E: Amphiesma stolata, Striped Keelback (unknown photographer); F: Xenochrophis piscator, Checkered Keelback (photographed by Amod Ghimire).

51 Pandey.—Snakes in the Vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

A B

C D

E F

FIGURE 4. Snakes found alive in vicinity of the Chitwan National Park, Nepal. A: Oligodon arnensis, Banded Kukri Snake (juvenile; photographed by Deb P. Pandey); B: Cryptelytrops albolabris, White-lipped Green Pit-viper (photographed by Deb P. Pandey); C: Lycodon jara, Yellow-speckled Wolf Snake (photographed by Bishnu B. Lama); D: Oligodon kheriensis, Coral Red Kukri Snake (photographed by Bishnu B. Lama); E: Sinomicrurus macclellandi univirgatus, MaCelland’s Coral Snake (juvenile; photographed by Deb P. Pandey); F: Eryx johnii, Red Sand Boa/Brown Earth Boa (photographed by Deb P. Pandey).

52 Herpetological Conservation and Biology

A B A

C D

E F

FIGURE 5. Preserved snake species that have been recorded in the vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal. A: Typhlops diardii, Diard’s Worm Snake; B: Boiga trigonata, Common Cat Snake; C: Dendrelaphis tristis, Common Bronzeback Tree Snake; D: Enhydris sieboldii, Siebold’s Smooth-scaled Water Snake; E: Lycodon aulicus, Common Wolf Snake; F: Bungarus caeruleus, Common Krait. (All photographed by Deb P. Pandey)

53 Pandey.—Snakes in the Vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

A B

C D

E F

FIGURE 6. Preserved snake species that have been recorded in the vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal. A: Naja naja, Spectacled/Common Cobra; Bungarus fasciatus, Banded Krait; Xenochrophis piscator, Checkered Keelback (photographed by Deb P. Pandey); B: Enhydris sieboldii, Siebold’s Smooth-scaled Water Snake; Bungarus lividus, Lesser Black Krait; Oligodon arnensis, Banded Kukri Snake (photographed by Deb P. Pandey); C: Coelognathus radiatus, Copper-headed Trinket Snake (photographed by Shree R. Tiwari); D: Ophiophagus hannah, King Cobra (photographed by Shree R. Tiwari); E: Ahetulla nasuta, Common Vine Snake (photographed by Bishnu B. Lama); F: Rhabdophis subminiatus, Red-necked Keelback (photographed by Deb P. Pandey).

54 Herpetological Conservation and Biology

TABLE 3. Comparison of snake species distribution in present study species in nine genera (Shrestha and Piya, unpubl. with other studies in Nepal. The number represents the number of report) to as many as 90 species in 39 genera (Shrestha species found from each . 2001). I recorded 20 genera from the vicinity of Chitwan National Park (Table 3), compared to others who recorded as many as 62 species from other parts of Nepal. The snakes recorded in my study were also associated with snakes in the Indian-sub-continent and (Schleich and Kästle 2002; Whitaker and Captain Genus 2004). The habitats used by snakes (e.g., underground This study study This and Mitchell Zug (1995) O'shea (1998) (2001) Shrestha Schleich and Kästle (2002) Shah et al. (2003) Shah and Tiwari (2004) and Piya Shrestha report) (unpubl. Ramphotyphlops 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 decaying root, human residences and local premises, fences, crop-field, garden, shrub, grass, etc.; Appendix Typhlops 1 0 1 2 4 2 3 0 1) that I recorded were comparable to habitats described Eryx 1 0 0 2 2 2 2 0 by Shrestha (2001), Schleich and Kästle (2002), Shah Python 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 0 and Tiwari (2004), and Whitaker and Captain (2004). Ahaetulla 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 Checklists and associated ecological notes (e.g., Amphiesma 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 1 distribution, habit, and habitats) are crucial for protecting Boiga 1 2 1 6 6 7 8 1 snakes in Nepal, as well as for snakebite management. Coelognathus 2 2 0 5 2 5 5 2 Snakebite is a leading cause of death (annual mortality Dendrelaphis 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 rate = 162/100,000) in Nepal in rural areas (Sharma et al. 2004). Checklists and notes can help clinicians to identify Enhydris 1 0 1 2 2 2 2 0 the snakes brought in by victims (if any), choose the Lycodon 2 1 2 2 3 2 3 1 appropriate treatment, anticipate complications and Oligodon 2 1 0 5 5 3 4 1 prognosis of , and to avoid wasting expensive Ptyas 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 antivenoms and exposing patients to antivenom-induced Rhabdophis 1 0 0 3 2 2 2 0 adverse reactions. Moreover, identifying these snake Xenochrophis 1 1 1 4 4 4 4 1 species would also be helpful to identify appropriate first- Bungarus 3 2 1 4 6 5 5 1 aid measures. Extensive study of snakes both in agricul- Sinumicrurus 1 1 0 2 1 1 1 0 tural and forest ecosystems should be carried out to ascertain their precise diversity, status, and snake-human Naja 2 1 1 3 2 2 2 0 interactions to generate new ideas and tools for anti-venom Ophiophagus 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 design and its manufacture for this region in the future. Cryptelytrops 1 1 0 9 6 8 6 0 Total Species 26 19 13 62 56 56 57 10 Acknowledgments.—I would like to sincerely thank Prof. Karan B. Shah, Natural History Museum, Python bivittatus from Chitwan in addition to other parts Soyambhu, Kathmandu, Tribhuvan University, Prof. Dr. of Nepal. O’Shea (1998) reported it from Bardia. Of the Tej K. Shrestha, Central Department of Zoology, 14 colubrids I found, Ptyas mucosa and Xenochrophis Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, and Geoff piscator are in listed in Appendix II and Appendix III Coombe, Living with Wildlife, Adelaide, for of CITES, respectively (IUCN-Nepal 2002). assisting in species identification. I am grateful to Dr. Zug and Mitchell (1995) and Shah and Tiwari (2004) Ulrich Kuch, Biodiversity and Climate Research Center, also reported both of these species from the region. Frankfurt, Germany, Prof. Dr. Stephen P. Mackessy, Schleich and Kästle (2002) only gave an imprecise School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern record of P. mucosa and a confirmed record of X. Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, USA, Prof. Dr. Indraneil piscator from this area. These species have been Das, Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental reported from many other parts of Nepal (Schleich and Conservation, Universiti , Sarawak, Malaysia, Kästle 2002; Shah and Tiwari 2004). and Matthew J. Goode, School of Natural Resources, Of the seven elapids I found, IUCN-Nepal (2002) University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA, for categorized Naja naja and Ophiophagus hannah in pointing out errors and/or omissions and reviewing Appendix II of CITES, and O. hannah has been several drafts of this manuscript. I would like to thank recommended to be legally protected in Nepal (Red Data Dr. Chhabi L. Thapa, Bishnu P. Khanal (Birendra Book of the Fauna of Nepal 1995). These species have Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Bharatpur, been found in the region previously, as have Naja kaouthia, Chitwan), Prem Neupane, and Lekhnath Acharya from Bungarus caeruleus, B. fasciatus, B. lividus, and Nawalparasi; Narayan P. Pandey, Padam Aryal, Yadu Sinomicrurus macclellandii univirgatus (Zug and Mitchell Adhikari (Someshor Bufforzone Community Forest), 1995; Schleich and Kästle 2002; Shah and Tiwari 2004). and Ram P. Poudel (Veterinerian, Madi Valley) from Other studies in Nepal have recorded as few as 10 southern Chitwan; Bishnu B. Lama, Harka B. Lama

55 Pandey.—Snakes in the Vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

(both from Biodiversity Conservation Center, Sauraha), of Nepal. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag Kapil Pokhrel (senior Nature Guide), and Krishna P. Kommanditgessellschaft, Ruggell, Germany. Chaulagai from eastern Chitwan; Sita Poudel and Shah, K.B., and S. Tiwari. 2004. Herpetofanuna of Ramananda Subedi from western Chitwan; Chandra P. Nepal. A Conservation Companion. International Adhikari, Amod Gimire, Sujan Dhakal, and Durga Union for Conservation of Nature, Kathmandu, Nepal. Kuwar (Bharatpur Hospital) from central Chitwan; and Shah, K.B., J.M. Shrestha, and C.L. Thapa. 2003. many other people in Chitwan and Nawalparasi for their Snakebite Management Guideline. Ministry of Health, altruistic support in providing snake samples, Epidemiology Disease Control Division (EDCD), photographs, and related information. Also, I am Zoonoses Control Sub-section, Kathmandu, Nepal. grateful to the Association for Nature Conservation and Shah, K.B. 1995. Enumeration of the and Social Upliftment, Nepal, for monetary support, and Reptiles of Nepal. Biodiversity Profiles Project, Living with Wildlife, Australia, for technical support. Technical Publication No. 2. Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal. LITERATURE CITED Sharma, S.K., F. Chappuis, N. Jha, P.A. Bovier, L. Loutan, and S. Koirala. 2004. Impact of snake bites Bhetwal, B.B., M. O´Shea, and D.A. Warrell. 1998. Snake and determinants of fatal outcomes in southeastern and snakebite in Nepal. Tropical Doctor 28:193–195. Nepal. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation Hygiene 71:234–238. and Park People Project. 2000. Royal Chitwan Shrestha, T.K. 2001. Herpetology of Nepal. A Field National Park and buffer zone, resource profile. Babar Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Trans- Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal. Himalayan Region of . Mrs. Bimala Shrestha, Greene, H.W. 2000. Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery Kathmandu, Nepal. in Nature. University of California Press, Berkeley, Smith, M.A. 1981. The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and California, USA. Burma, Including the Whole of the Indo-Chinese Sub- IUCN-Nepal. 2002. Nepalka samrakshit banyajantu tatha region. Reptilia and Amphibia, Vol. III. Today and banaspati. CITES ka sandarvama ak chinari. Natural Tomorrow´s Printers and Publishers, New Delhi, India. History Museum, Tribhuvan University, and Swan, L.W., and A.E. Leviton. 1962. The herpetology of International Union for Conservation of Nature, Nepal: a history, checklist and zoogeographical Kathmandu, Nepal. analysis of the herpetofauna. Proceeding of the O’Shea, M. 1998. Herpetological results of two short California Academy of Sciences 32:103–147. field excursions to the Royal Bardia region of western Vogel, G. 2006. Venomous Snakes of Asia. Terralog. Nepal, including range extensions for Assamese/Indo- Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Chinese snake taxa. Pp. 306–317 In Biology and Wall, F. 1923. A hand-list of snakes of the Indian Conservation of the Amphibians, Reptiles, and Their Empire. Part two. Journal of Bombay Natural History Habitats in . de Silva, A. (Ed.). Amphibia Society 29:598–632. and Research Organization of Whitaker, R. 1978. Common Indian Snakes. A Field (ARROS), Peradenia, Sri Lanka. Guide. Macmillan India Limited, New Delhi, India. Red Data Book of the Fauna of Nepal. 1995. Whitaker, R., and A. Captain. 2004. Snakes of India. Biodiversity Profiles Project. Technical Publication Draco Books, Chennai, India. No. 4. Department of National Park and Wildlife Zug, G.R., and J.C. Mitchell. 1995. Amphibians and Conservation, His Majesty of Government Nepal. reptiles of the Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Schleich, H.H., and W. Kästle. 2002. Amphibians and Asiatic Herpetological Research 6:172–180.

DEB PRASAD PANDEY was a Teacher at the Birendra Multiple Campus of Tribhuvan University, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal. He began his career as a volunteer -watcher in Chitwan National Park and its vicinity while studying for a B.S. in Biology. He received a B.S. in Biology in 2000 and a M.S. in Zoology in 2002 from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Besides teaching, he has received several research, educational (i.e., training), and travel grants pertaining to snake and snakebite management from the University Grant Commission Nepal (2005), the Nepal Health Research Council (2006), the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology in Sri Lanka (2006), the America-Nepal Medical Foundation (2006, 2007, and 2008), Trade and Economic Development, Government of South Australia (2007), Living with Wildlife, Adelaide, Australia (2008), the University of New Mexico (2009), and Bioclon in Mexico (2010). Recently, Deb received a German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst) scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in snake ecology, climate change, and snake venom research at Goethe University, Germany. (Photographed by Ulrich Kuch)

56 Herpetological Conservation and Biology

Appendix 1. Study sites in the vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal where I recorded snakes from 2002 to 2008. Days of the same month and same year are separated by a comma.

Approximate: Date of Snake Records Description of Habitats Where Snakes Study Area Coordinates Altitude (DD/MM/YY) Were Caught

S1: Gaidakot, Nawalparasi 27°43’48.23“ N 28/05/2003; 03/07/2004 mud in field prepared for paddy plantation; 84°23’24.00’’E 400 m underground decaying roots (collected while the stump of tree was uprooted) S2: Bharatpur, Chitwan 27°41’00.09’’N 10,30/09/2003; 21/12/2003; residential yard; residential premises; 84°26’00.09’’E 210 m 20,31/08/2007; 01/10/2007 crevices in well rings; bricks pile on 01/11/2007; 13,16/04/2008 Chitwan Hospital premises; indoors; paddy field; nook of water tank; premises of Orchid Science College S3: Madi Valley (Bagauda, Gardi, 27°26’24.00’’N 09,16/08/2002; heap of paddy; grazing ground nearby Kalyanpur, ), 84°18’36.00’’E 210 m 01,02/09/2002; 13/10/2002; forest; burrow of rat in paddy field; bank of Chitwan 20,28/05/2003; 27/06/2003; Maheshori River (a day after flooding) 02/05/2004; 28/06/2004; 01, nearby Someshor Bufforzone Community 13/01/2005; 17/06/2005; Forest; bank of Rewa River; residential 07,11/07/2007; yard; fence of maize field; fence nearby 03,15/08/2007; 02/09/2007; resident; forest; fence in field; pile of bricks; 24/10/2007; 20/11/2007; paddy field; maize field; garden; indoor; 02/08/2008; 09,12/09/2008; water canal nearby Lower 10,13/10/2008 Secondary School; premises of Madi Secondary School; inside house of Mitra Sapkota; inside house of Ambika Sapkota; shrub in community forest (snakebite victim: Samjhana Baral) S4: Pragatinagar, Nawalparasi 27°40’48.27’’N 24/05/2005; 11/10/2008 tree in community forest; garden plant 8411’23.84’’E 190 m

S5: Meghauli area (Gunganagar, 27°34’48.00’’N 06/01/2003; 23/07/2006 yard; community forest aside Meghauli Meghauli, ), Chitwan 84°12’36.00’’E 160 m airport; indoors S6: Devechuli, Nawalparasi 27°40’55.06’’N 25/08/2005; 08/04/2006 indoors; grassy field (snakebite victim: 84°13’52.79’’E 185 m Pulsing Sinjali)

S7: Kawaswoti area (Kawswoti, 27°38’39.78’’N 25/08/2003; 28/09/2003; farm; crevices nearby home; bed (snakebite Shivamandir), Nawalparasi 84°07’42.87’’E 190 m 20/05/2004; 23/08/2004; victim: Sarda Khatri); yard (snakebite 25/06/2005; 13/07/2006; victim) Shambhu Bhattarai; near water tap 05/05/2007; 01/06/2007 (snakebite victim) Byapak Gaudel; yard (snakebite victim) Laxaman Mahato S8: Rampur area [Mangalpur, 27°38’24.97’’N 19/06/2007 maize field (copulating); inside abandoned Sardanagar Narayanpur (Fulbari)], 84°22’15.88’’E 200 m home Chitwan S9: Nayabelani, Nawalparasi 27°36’49.39’’N 28,30/06/2007 Door (snakebite victims: Seti M Kumal); 83°57’02.98’’E 190 m bed (snakebite victim: Purna B Kumal) S10: Municipality 27°38’23.44’’N 06/04/2002; 29/06/2006; Road side nearby residents; inside poultry Bachhauli, Kumroj, Pithuwa, 84°27’38.37’’E 215 m 20/04/2007; 17/07/2007; farm; garden of resident; side of highway; Chitwan 02/04/2008; ?/4/ 2008; crop-fields S11: Patihani, Chitwan 27°35’24.00’’N 30/06/2007 Barandbhar Community Forest 84°21’36.00’’E 180 m S12: Deurali, Nawalparasi 27°42’12.15’’N 05/08/2007 Agricultural grass field 84°01’05.38’’E 965 m

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