Checklist of snakes (Reptilia: Squamata) in Tala Tahsil of Raigad, Maharashtra, India.
Author(s): Sujeet Jamdar

Abstract: Snakes are among the most widespread vertebrates globally, with a notable preference for arid zones in terms of diversity. They are commonly encountered wildlife in human settlements. This study provides a checklist of snake species recorded in the Tala Tahsil region of Raigad, Maharashtra. Based on data collected from volunteers, snake enthusiasts, and rescuers, 28 snake species were identified in the Tala area, including 17 non-venomous and 11 venomous species. These 28 species are distributed across seven families: Colubridae (11 species), Uropeltidae (5 species), Elapidae (3 species), Viperidae (3 species), Boidae (3 species), Typhlopidae (2 species), and Lamprophiidae (1 species). The diversity of non-venomous snakes (17 species) exceeds that of venomous ones (11 species).