A report on Platyceps ventromaculatus (Colubridae) from Fereydan County in Isfahan province-Iran

Abstract

Snakes are among the predatory reptiles in the wild. Due to the importance of knowing the habitats of these reptiles and their distribution, this study has been done. During the study, the specimen snake was found in the garden of a house in the region of Afus, of Fereydan County, in the west of Isfahan province. The city of Afus is 2800 meters above the sea level, on the roof of Iran. Afus is located at 50°5’, 646 East longitude, and at 33°1’, 464 North Latitude. Afus is a mountainous region with a moderate climate, its winters are cold and snowy while its summers are mild and pleasant. The mountainous nature of Afus and the sudden changes in temperature cause seasonal winds to blow. Temperature changes in this city are such that in winter and especially in January reaches minus 30°C and in summer and on the hottest day of the year will be 31°C. This suitable climate and soil type cause the growth of varieties of herbaceous plants and medicinal herbs in this region. The presence of these plants causes Afus land to be green and fertile in the hot season. After initial identification of this species according to the available sources, its photos and videos were presented to a high expert herpetologist who confirmed the identity of the snake. On the basis of morphological characters, the specimen was Platyceps ventromaculatus belong to the Colubridae family and is considered as a non-venomous snake.

Keywords

• non-venomous snake
• reptile
• inhabitant
• fereydan
• afus