*Corresponding Author: Dr. Altaf Hussain Sheikh, Department of Bioscience, R D University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh-482001, India, Email: khushialtaf1986@gmail.com, Mobile: +91 7477040374 International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences ISSN: 2455-9571 Volume 2, Issue 6, pp: 287-291, 2017 http://www.ijzab.com Research Article STUDY OF DISTRIBUTION AND DIVERSITY OF SNAKE (SQUAMATA: REPTILIA) FAUNA IN JABALPUR, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA Altaf Hussain Sheikh 1* , Anurag Chaturvedi 2 , Moni Thomas 3 and Rita Bhandari 4 1 Department of Bioscience, R D University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh-482001, India. 2 N-57, Jai Prakash Nagar, Adhartal, Jabalpur (482004), Madhya Pradesh, India 3 Directorate of Research Services, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh-482004, India 3 Department of Zoology, Government O. F. K. College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh-482005, India. Article History: Received 8 th November 2017; Accepted 20 th November 2017; Published 21 st November 2017 ABSTRACT Snakes are fascinating creature and play an important role in the ecosystem functioning. Due to their predatory nature, they are involved in diverse food webs and ecological guilds. In this context the present study reports 22 species of snakes belonging to 8 families grouped under 18 genera from district Jabalpur of Madhya Pradesh. Forest area seemed more diverse than agricultural and rocky areas. Most probable reason might be anthropogenic activities in agricultural areas and difficulty in locating the snake in rocky area. Keywords: Distribution, Diversity, Snake fauna, Jabalpur. INTRODUCTION Snakes are the modern reptiles, appeared the fossil record during the time of the dinosaurs. Snakes are considered a successful group of predatory vertebrates that occupy a wide range of environments in tropical as well as temperate environments (Smith, 1943; Pauwels et al., 2008). There are about 3273 species of snakes known worldwide, out of which 302 species have been reported from India (www.indiansnakes.org). There are about 153 species of fresh water snakes making about 5 per cent of all known snakes (Pauwels et al., 2008). A total of 52 venomous species are reported from India, among which 32 are over the land (examples are Pythons, Vipers, coral snakes, Cobras, King cobra, Kraits) and 20 are Sea snakes (Chandra and Gajbe, 2005). Out of the total 302 snakes found in India, 44 have been reported from the state of Madhya Pradesh (www.indiansnakes.org). This region is relatively less explored and more surveys can bring many more species to light. Present study presents updated knowledge about the distribution and species abundance of snakes in the Jabalpur district of the Madhya Pradesh. Study site Jabalpur district lies in the eastern half of Madhya Pradesh- the central Indian state. Geographically it lies between 23 0 10 ʹ North latitude and 79 0 59 ʹ East longitude with a total geographic area of 5211 sq. km. The district lies in the catchment of Narmada- the longest river of Central India. Narmada has its tributaries, viz. Hiran, Gour, Ken and Sone touching the district. Jabalpur with a forest cover of 1078 sq. km i.e. about 20.69 per cent of its geographical area (State of Forest Report, 2003), serves as the corridors for Bandhagrah Tiger Reserve, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Pench Tiger Reserve and Bilaspur Tiger Reserve. MATERIAL AND METHOD The study was conducted from June 2014 to November 2016 including all seasons but extensive field expeditions were carried during post summer and monsoon months due to natural abundance of Snake species. All snakes were documented during day and night surveys which were based on opportunistic visual sightings, road kill examinations in urban and roads passing through the forest areas. The field expeditions were carried at Madan Mahal