Survey of the reptilian fauna of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: the Snake fauna of the central region

Corresponding Author: Mohammed K. Al-Sadoon Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia Phone: +966-1-4675755 msadoon@ksu.edu.saThe snake fauna inhabiting the Central Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been investigated by the collection and subsequent identification of211 specimens from various localities in the Reg-ion. Fourteen species belonging to five families: Boidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, Leptotyphlopidae and Viperidae were recorded. The following species were reported from the Central Region for the first time: Atractaspis microlepidota engaddensis, Leptotyphlops macrorhynchus, Spalerosophis diadem a cliffordi, Telescopus dhara dhara, Coluber ventromaculatus and Eryx jayakari. The geographical distribution of the snakes is presented together with notes on their habitats, and general biology