Faunistic investigation of snakes in Haftad Qolleh protected area of Markazi province

Haftad Qolleh Protected Area With 97,437 hectares area is located at 25 kilometers East of Arak in Markazi Province. The elevation range of this area is between 1580 to 2960 meters. The first Faunistic investigation on snakes species of Haftad Qolleh protected Area was held during May to August 2014. All collected specimens except species that are listed in the Red List of IUCN fixed with injected 96% ethanol in to the body cavity then they have been preserved in 70% ethanol and then transferred to the Biosystematics laboratory of the Shahid Beheshti University. All specimens were checked by valid keys identification of snakes. To conclude, it should be said that during this survey, 46 specimens of snakes belonged to 11 species, 8 genera and 5 families have been identified: Typhlopidae (Xerotyphlops vermicularis), Viperidae (Macrovipera lebetina), Boidae (Eryx miliaris , Eryx tataricus), Lamprophidae (Malpolon insignitus), Colubridae (Eirenis punctatolineatus, Eirenis collaris, Platyceps ventromaculatus, Platyceps najadum, Hemorrhois ravergieri ,Natrix tessellata). In This study, Macrovipera lebetina as only poisonous species of Haftad Qolleh protected area is presented.