The Faunestics Study of the Amphinians and Snakes of Hezar Jarib Hunting Prohibited Area in Mazandaran Province

Hezar Jarib Hunting Prohibited Area with 49000 hectares surface is located in east-southern parts of Behshahr and south of Galoogah County in Mazandaran Province and has a rich flora and fauna. The purpose of this study was to identification of snakes' fauna of Hezar Jarib Hunting Prohibited Area through the analysis of morphological characteristics and the use of valid identification keys. Specimens were collected from different parts of area and were transferred to the Zoological Laboratory of Islamic Azad University, Damghan Branch. Results show that all of the specimens belong to the order Anura and from three families: Hylidae, Bufonidae and Ranidae. Totally four species were identified: Hyla orientalis (6%), Pseudepidalea variabilis (33%), Rana pseudodalmatina (12%) and Pelophylax ridibundus (49%). Significantly, Pelophylax ridibundus and Hyla orientalis had the maximum and minimum abundance in the area, respectively. Snakes belong to three families: Colubridae Typhlopidae and Viperidae. Totally, eleven snake species were identified: Dolichophis jugolaris (2%), Hemmorohis ravergieri (4%), Telescopus fallax (4%), Platyceps najadum (5%), Dolichophis Schmidti (9%), Zamenis persicus (11%), Elaphe dione (15%), Notrix notrix (15%), Notrix tessellata (24%), Typhlops vermicularis (4%) and Gloydius halys caucasicus (2%). Significantly, Natrix tessellata has the highest frequency and Dolichophis jugularis has the lowest frequency in this area.