Venomous Snakes In Pakistan

[Riz]

Disclaimer: This thread has nothing to do with Human snakes and is only about venomous snakes found in Pakistan. I have used the research material available in open domain and made collage of snakes for identification Purpose.


Snake's hypnotic eyes and implacable mouth invokes mystery, fascination, horror and have inspired myths, religions, cults, literature and legends since ancient times. While the snakes have always been part of subcontinent folklore, legends and scripture however the first known documented work was made by a Belgian British George Albert Boulenger in 1890, the work was known as “The Fauna of British India”. The book is the first work which presented the known herpetofauna of the subcontinent in a volume. Its part dealing with snakes contributed to the proper understanding of the different species, their ways and life style. Publication of this work instigated general interest in ophidian study. Malcolm Arthur Smith (1943) revised Boulenger's work to encompass species since described, included new data about the distribution of several species, correcting several old records. Moreover, it included data on habits, ecology and reproduction of almost all known species.
Several works have been since done on snakes in Pakistan (Minton, 1962, 1966; Mertens, 1969, 1970).

The most recent and comprehensive work since then has been done by Muhammad Sharif Khan, an internationally acclaimed Pakistani herpetologist. His work is known as “A GUIDE TO THE SNAKES OF PAKISTAN” and is available at academia.
(https://www.wildlife.org.pk/muhammad-sharif-khan/)


There are 97 species of terrestrial snakes found in Pakistan and 16 are Pakistani endemics. I will focus on the venomous snakes found in Pakistan only.
The venomous snakes of Pakistan belong to 4 families of snakes, namely,

1. Elapidae (Kraits and Cobras)
2. Viperidae (Vipers)
3. Hydrophiidae (Sea Snakes)
4. Crotalidae (Himalayan Pit Viper)

1. Elapidae

a. Kraits​

Kraits are represented by 3 species in Pakistan.​

1. Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus)
2. Sindhi Krait (Bungarus sindanus)
3. Northern Punjab Krait (Bangarus sindanus razai)

View attachment 746360

Distribution Map
View attachment 746361
Bungarus caeruleus (●)
Bungarus sindanus (o)
Bungarus sindanus razai (x)

b. Cobras
Genus Naja is represented in Pakistan by two species and one subspecies:

1. Spectacled or Indian Cobra (Naja Naja)
2. Oxus or Brown Cobra (Naja Oxiana)
3. Black Pakistan Cobra (Naja naja karachiensis)

View attachment 746362


Distribution Map
View attachment 746364
Naja naja ( )
Naja oxiana (o)


2. Viperidae (Vipers)

This family is represented in Pakistan by five genera and seven species and subspecies.
1. Russell's or Chain Viper (Daboia russelii)
2. Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)
3. Sochurek's or Eastern Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus sochureki)
4. Multiscale or Transcaspian Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus multisquamatus)
5. Astola Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus astolae)
6. Macmahon's or Leaf Nosed Viper (Eristicophis macmahonii)
7. Persian Horned Viper (Pseudocerastes persicus)
8. Levantine Viper or Mountain Adder (Macrovipera lebetina)

View attachment 746367


View attachment 746369

View attachment 746372


Distribution Map
View attachment 746373
Echis c. sochureki ( )
Echis c. astole (o)
Echis c. multisquamatus (View attachment 746386 )

3. Hydrophiidae (Sea Snakes)

There are around 55 species of sea snakes which are found in the seas of the world but in the coastal waters of Pakistan, only 14 species have so far been recorded.

1. Stokes' sea snake (Astrotia stokesii)
2. Beaked sea snake, hook-nosed sea snake, common sea snake or Valakadyn sea snake (Enhydrina schistose)
3. Dwarf seasnake or many-toothed sea snake (Hydrophis caerulescens)
4. Annulated sea snake or blue-banded sea snake (Hydrophis cyanocinctus)
5. Striped sea snake (Hydrophis fasciatus)
6. Persian Gulf sea snake (Hydrophis lapemoides)
7. Bombay sea snake (Hydrophis mamillaris)
8. Ornate reef seasnake (Hydrophis ornatus)
9. Yellow Sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis)
10. Shaw's sea snake (Lapemis curtus)
11. Cantor's small-headed sea snake (Microcephalophis cantoris)
12. Graceful small-headed sea snake or slender sea snake (Microcephalophis gracilis)
13. Yellow-bellied sea snake or pelagic sea snake (Pelamis platurus)
14. Viperine sea snake (Praescutata viperina)

View attachment 746378

View attachment 746379

View attachment 746380

View attachment 746381


4. Crotalidae (Himalayan Pit Viper)
Pit vipers are represented by a single species in Pakistan, belonging to the genus Gloydius:

1. Himalayan Pit Viper (Gloydius himlayanus)

View attachment 746384

Distribution Map
View attachment 746385

Gloydius himalayanus (O)


Unfortunately there are no official conservation schemes in Pakistan for these majestic creatures and nothing is being done by WWF Pakistan as well. Due to intrinsic fear of snakes and unawareness, people tend to kill snakes which sometimes dangerously affects the ecosystem.


Sources:
1 - http://www.wildlifeofpakistan.com/ReptilesofPakistan/venomousseasnakesofPakistan.htm
2 - http://www.wildlifeofpakistan.com/ReptilesofPakistan/venomousterrestrialsnakesofPakistan.htm
3 - A guide to the snakes of Pakistan by Muhammad Sharif Khan
4 - Marine snakes by Ms. Fahmida Iffat, Marine Biologist - University of Karachi

Please add this Brown Fazalandu snake in the list

 

[Raja Porus]

Majestic ? I hate snakes !

If you see their behavioural patterns they are majestic. However your hate is legit.

 

[Imran Khan]

since my childhood i feel so scared from snakes . so much .

 

[SQ8]

@Vapnope the fact that you had to clarify makes this thread a tad depressing.

On the matter of venemous snakes-Ive encountered a few on hunts in interior sindh but they were fairly small in size.

 

[Goenitz]

I plan to write and compile about non venomous snakes in pakistan, in next thread.

Can you add if some vaccine is made from it and is exported? or used domestically? Thanx for the effort.

 

[Trango Towers]

Disclaimer: This thread has nothing to do with Human snakes and is only about venomous snakes found in Pakistan. I have used the research material available in open domain and made collage of snakes for identification Purpose.


Snake's hypnotic eyes and implacable mouth invokes mystery, fascination, horror and have inspired myths, religions, cults, literature and legends since ancient times. While the snakes have always been part of subcontinent folklore, legends and scripture however the first known documented work was made by a Belgian British George Albert Boulenger in 1890, the work was known as “The Fauna of British India”. The book is the first work which presented the known herpetofauna of the subcontinent in a volume. Its part dealing with snakes contributed to the proper understanding of the different species, their ways and life style. Publication of this work instigated general interest in ophidian study. Malcolm Arthur Smith (1943) revised Boulenger's work to encompass species since described, included new data about the distribution of several species, correcting several old records. Moreover, it included data on habits, ecology and reproduction of almost all known species.
Several works have been since done on snakes in Pakistan (Minton, 1962, 1966; Mertens, 1969, 1970).

The most recent and comprehensive work since then has been done by Muhammad Sharif Khan, an internationally acclaimed Pakistani herpetologist. His work is known as “A GUIDE TO THE SNAKES OF PAKISTAN” and is available at academia.
(https://www.wildlife.org.pk/muhammad-sharif-khan/)


There are 97 species of terrestrial snakes found in Pakistan and 16 are Pakistani endemics. I will focus on the venomous snakes found in Pakistan only.
The venomous snakes of Pakistan belong to 4 families of snakes, namely,

1. Elapidae (Kraits and Cobras)
2. Viperidae (Vipers)
3. Hydrophiidae (Sea Snakes)
4. Crotalidae (Himalayan Pit Viper)

1. Elapidae

a. Kraits​

Kraits are represented by 3 species in Pakistan.​

1. Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus)
2. Sindhi Krait (Bungarus sindanus)
3. Northern Punjab Krait (Bangarus sindanus razai)

View attachment 746360

Distribution Map
View attachment 746361
Bungarus caeruleus (●)
Bungarus sindanus (o)
Bungarus sindanus razai (x)

b. Cobras
Genus Naja is represented in Pakistan by two species and one subspecies:

1. Spectacled or Indian Cobra (Naja Naja)
2. Oxus or Brown Cobra (Naja Oxiana)
3. Black Pakistan Cobra (Naja naja karachiensis)

View attachment 746362


Distribution Map
View attachment 746364
Naja naja ( )
Naja oxiana (o)


2. Viperidae (Vipers)

This family is represented in Pakistan by five genera and seven species and subspecies.
1. Russell's or Chain Viper (Daboia russelii)
2. Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)
3. Sochurek's or Eastern Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus sochureki)
4. Multiscale or Transcaspian Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus multisquamatus)
5. Astola Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus astolae)
6. Macmahon's or Leaf Nosed Viper (Eristicophis macmahonii)
7. Persian Horned Viper (Pseudocerastes persicus)
8. Levantine Viper or Mountain Adder (Macrovipera lebetina)

View attachment 746367


View attachment 746369

View attachment 746372


Distribution Map
View attachment 746373
Echis c. sochureki ( )
Echis c. astole (o)
Echis c. multisquamatus (View attachment 746386 )

3. Hydrophiidae (Sea Snakes)

There are around 55 species of sea snakes which are found in the seas of the world but in the coastal waters of Pakistan, only 14 species have so far been recorded.

1. Stokes' sea snake (Astrotia stokesii)
2. Beaked sea snake, hook-nosed sea snake, common sea snake or Valakadyn sea snake (Enhydrina schistose)
3. Dwarf seasnake or many-toothed sea snake (Hydrophis caerulescens)
4. Annulated sea snake or blue-banded sea snake (Hydrophis cyanocinctus)
5. Striped sea snake (Hydrophis fasciatus)
6. Persian Gulf sea snake (Hydrophis lapemoides)
7. Bombay sea snake (Hydrophis mamillaris)
8. Ornate reef seasnake (Hydrophis ornatus)
9. Yellow Sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis)
10. Shaw's sea snake (Lapemis curtus)
11. Cantor's small-headed sea snake (Microcephalophis cantoris)
12. Graceful small-headed sea snake or slender sea snake (Microcephalophis gracilis)
13. Yellow-bellied sea snake or pelagic sea snake (Pelamis platurus)
14. Viperine sea snake (Praescutata viperina)

View attachment 746378

View attachment 746379

View attachment 746380

View attachment 746381


4. Crotalidae (Himalayan Pit Viper)
Pit vipers are represented by a single species in Pakistan, belonging to the genus Gloydius:

1. Himalayan Pit Viper (Gloydius himlayanus)

View attachment 746384

Distribution Map
View attachment 746385

Gloydius himalayanus (O)


Unfortunately there are no official conservation schemes in Pakistan for these majestic creatures and nothing is being done by WWF Pakistan as well. Due to intrinsic fear of snakes and unawareness, people tend to kill snakes which sometimes dangerously affects the ecosystem.


Sources:
1 - http://www.wildlifeofpakistan.com/ReptilesofPakistan/venomousseasnakesofPakistan.htm
2 - http://www.wildlifeofpakistan.com/ReptilesofPakistan/venomousterrestrialsnakesofPakistan.htm
3 - A guide to the snakes of Pakistan by Muhammad Sharif Khan
4 - Marine snakes by Ms. Fahmida Iffat, Marine Biologist - University of Karachi

Shouldn't nawaz shareef altaf Hussain and zardari be in this section

 

[Goenitz]

but they were fairly small in size.

Same here.. killed 2-3 times very small snakes in home.. Once, a scorpion, slim and yellow.
Anyway, I still fear (bcz I watched videos, snakes found in toilet) that while sitting on commode, whether a snake would come up and bite my 'cheeks'

 

[jamahir]

If you see their behavioural patterns they are majestic.

How do you mean ?

However your hate is legit.

 

[Raja Porus]

How do you mean ?

I mean that their movement, hunting of prey, aggression, focus and audacity often is impressive.

 

[jamahir]

I mean that their movement, hunting of prey, aggression, focus and audacity often is impressive.

I see. Well, I am more impressed by most of those things in the smaller and mid-sized cats.

Here is Gamsiz the Istanbuli cat from the documentary film Kedi :

And here is Aslan, another Istanbuli cat from the same film. He is pretending to catch a mouse after a mouse escaped in the drain :

You can watch the trailer here.

 

[Syed1.]

 

[313ghazi]

Cmon guys, please don't turn his thread into a parody. I know it's hard, the jokes just write themselves.

 

[SoulSpokesman]

@Vapnope

Snakes, venomous or otherwise, have a role in the ecology. They destroy a lot of agri pests like rats etc. They shouldnt be wantonly exterminated, rather walking with care in farms and forests; and ensuring adequate antidotes in PHCs can take care of most problems of snake bites.

Regards

 

[Metal 0-1]

Everybody take a closer look at Russel viper. The only snake I hate the most. Avoid it. If this thing bites you after a while your body will start to bleed internally.

I used to watch deadly encounters with Dr. Brady Bar on Nat Geo Graphic when I was 13.

Doesn't exist actually but is a mythical creature which is used by con men allegedly to be used in black magic. You might wanna read this,

Everything You Need To Know About The Legend Behind 'Geedar Singhi'

People with supernatural or quasi-beliefs like these keep Geedar Singhis inside their houses for 'rehmat' and 'barkat'...

www.parhlo.com

P.S There is a saying that it has super natural healing powers.

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

Disclaimer: This thread has nothing to do with Human snakes and is only about venomous snakes found in Pakistan. I have used the research material available in open domain and made collage of snakes for identification Purpose.


Snake's hypnotic eyes and implacable mouth invokes mystery, fascination, horror and have inspired myths, religions, cults, literature and legends since ancient times. While the snakes have always been part of subcontinent folklore, legends and scripture however the first known documented work was made by a Belgian British George Albert Boulenger in 1890, the work was known as “The Fauna of British India”. The book is the first work which presented the known herpetofauna of the subcontinent in a volume. Its part dealing with snakes contributed to the proper understanding of the different species, their ways and life style. Publication of this work instigated general interest in ophidian study. Malcolm Arthur Smith (1943) revised Boulenger's work to encompass species since described, included new data about the distribution of several species, correcting several old records. Moreover, it included data on habits, ecology and reproduction of almost all known species.
Several works have been since done on snakes in Pakistan (Minton, 1962, 1966; Mertens, 1969, 1970).

The most recent and comprehensive work since then has been done by Muhammad Sharif Khan, an internationally acclaimed Pakistani herpetologist. His work is known as “A GUIDE TO THE SNAKES OF PAKISTAN” and is available at academia.
(https://www.wildlife.org.pk/muhammad-sharif-khan/)


There are 97 species of terrestrial snakes found in Pakistan and 16 are Pakistani endemics. I will focus on the venomous snakes found in Pakistan only.
The venomous snakes of Pakistan belong to 4 families of snakes, namely,

1. Elapidae (Kraits and Cobras)
2. Viperidae (Vipers)
3. Hydrophiidae (Sea Snakes)
4. Crotalidae (Himalayan Pit Viper)

1. Elapidae

a. Kraits​

Kraits are represented by 3 species in Pakistan.​

1. Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus)
2. Sindhi Krait (Bungarus sindanus)
3. Northern Punjab Krait (Bangarus sindanus razai)

View attachment 746360

Distribution Map
View attachment 746361
Bungarus caeruleus (●)
Bungarus sindanus (o)
Bungarus sindanus razai (x)

b. Cobras
Genus Naja is represented in Pakistan by two species and one subspecies:

1. Spectacled or Indian Cobra (Naja Naja)
2. Oxus or Brown Cobra (Naja Oxiana)
3. Black Pakistan Cobra (Naja naja karachiensis)

View attachment 746362


Distribution Map
View attachment 746364
Naja naja ( )
Naja oxiana (o)


2. Viperidae (Vipers)

This family is represented in Pakistan by five genera and seven species and subspecies.
1. Russell's or Chain Viper (Daboia russelii)
2. Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)
3. Sochurek's or Eastern Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus sochureki)
4. Multiscale or Transcaspian Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus multisquamatus)
5. Astola Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus astolae)
6. Macmahon's or Leaf Nosed Viper (Eristicophis macmahonii)
7. Persian Horned Viper (Pseudocerastes persicus)
8. Levantine Viper or Mountain Adder (Macrovipera lebetina)

View attachment 746367


View attachment 746369

View attachment 746372


Distribution Map
View attachment 746373
Echis c. sochureki ( )
Echis c. astole (o)
Echis c. multisquamatus (View attachment 746386 )

3. Hydrophiidae (Sea Snakes)

There are around 55 species of sea snakes which are found in the seas of the world but in the coastal waters of Pakistan, only 14 species have so far been recorded.

1. Stokes' sea snake (Astrotia stokesii)
2. Beaked sea snake, hook-nosed sea snake, common sea snake or Valakadyn sea snake (Enhydrina schistose)
3. Dwarf seasnake or many-toothed sea snake (Hydrophis caerulescens)
4. Annulated sea snake or blue-banded sea snake (Hydrophis cyanocinctus)
5. Striped sea snake (Hydrophis fasciatus)
6. Persian Gulf sea snake (Hydrophis lapemoides)
7. Bombay sea snake (Hydrophis mamillaris)
8. Ornate reef seasnake (Hydrophis ornatus)
9. Yellow Sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis)
10. Shaw's sea snake (Lapemis curtus)
11. Cantor's small-headed sea snake (Microcephalophis cantoris)
12. Graceful small-headed sea snake or slender sea snake (Microcephalophis gracilis)
13. Yellow-bellied sea snake or pelagic sea snake (Pelamis platurus)
14. Viperine sea snake (Praescutata viperina)

View attachment 746378

View attachment 746379

View attachment 746380

View attachment 746381


4. Crotalidae (Himalayan Pit Viper)
Pit vipers are represented by a single species in Pakistan, belonging to the genus Gloydius:

1. Himalayan Pit Viper (Gloydius himlayanus)

View attachment 746384

Distribution Map
View attachment 746385

Gloydius himalayanus (O)


Unfortunately there are no official conservation schemes in Pakistan for these majestic creatures and nothing is being done by WWF Pakistan as well. Due to intrinsic fear of snakes and unawareness, people tend to kill snakes which sometimes dangerously affects the ecosystem.


Sources:
1 - http://www.wildlifeofpakistan.com/ReptilesofPakistan/venomousseasnakesofPakistan.htm
2 - http://www.wildlifeofpakistan.com/ReptilesofPakistan/venomousterrestrialsnakesofPakistan.htm
3 - A guide to the snakes of Pakistan by Muhammad Sharif Khan
4 - Marine snakes by Ms. Fahmida Iffat, Marine Biologist - University of Karachi

When I read the title of the OP I thought it was about nawaz-not-so-sharif and zardari/bhutto.............