Complete List of Palawan's Herpetofauna Species | |
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King Cobra
Status: Vulnerable
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is widely distributed in South and Southeast Asia, from Nepal and India across southern China, southward to the Philippines (where it is widespread) and Indonesia as far east as Sulawesi and Bali, as well as the Malaysian territories of Sarawak and Sabah, and Brunei, on the island of Borneo.
This species is found in a variety of habitats, primarily in pristine forests, but it can also be found in degraded forest, mangrove swamps and even agricultural areas with remnants of woodland. It has also been found swimming in rivers in non-forested land and probably occurs in palm oil plantations, however it is not yet clear whether oil palm plantations can support viable populations of this species. Females build nests of dead leaves and stay with the eggs until they hatch, which takes 70 days at 28 degrees Celsius. Reproductive age in captivity has been estimated at 5-6 years, and this is conservatively taken to be the generation length in the wild population, although true generation length is probably longer. One individual was reported to have a 6.3 km² home range, indicating that the species is likely to occur in low population densities, although it is unknown whether this is natural or a result of the depletion of wild populations.
There are protected areas within the range of this species which probably provide small safeguards from harvesting pressure. Conservation measures are required to reduce the rate of habitat destruction occurring within its range and to manage the trade levels of this species. Further research into, and monitoring of the population status of, this species is required, as well as research into sustainable harvesting levels. Taxonomic research is also needed to determine if this species actually consists of a complex of species. Educational programmes may help to minimise the persecution of the species. In Royal Chitwan National Park the King Cobra is included in a new project focusing on ecological monitoring of and providing education about large reptiles, run by Nepal's National Trust for Nature Protection, the park authority, and the Zoological Society of London.
This species is threatened by destruction of habitat due to logging and agricultural expansion, as Southeast Asia is experiencing one of the highest rates of deforestation in the tropics and this species appears to be most abundant in forested habitats. Deforestation is however likely to exert strong pressure at local scales, particularly where snakes are also hunted, and is likely to lead to declines in many of the snakes on which this species feeds. The King Cobra is, however, particularly at risk from the harvesting of individuals for skin, food, pets, and especially traditional Chinese medicine. As the world's largest venomous snake, it is also suffers high levels of persecution by humans throughout its range. The possibility of this snake actually representing a complex of species makes all of these threats even more acute, as individual species within the complex will occur over a smaller area and as smaller populations than the currently recognized Ophiophagus hannah.
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is widely distributed in South and Southeast Asia, from Nepal and India across southern China, southward to the Philippines (where it is widespread) and Indonesia as far east as Sulawesi and Bali, as well as the Malaysian territories of Sarawak and Sabah, and Brunei, on the island of Borneo.
This species is found in a variety of habitats, primarily in pristine forests, but it can also be found in degraded forest, mangrove swamps and even agricultural areas with remnants of woodland. It has also been found swimming in rivers in non-forested land and probably occurs in palm oil plantations, however it is not yet clear whether oil palm plantations can support viable populations of this species. Females build nests of dead leaves and stay with the eggs until they hatch, which takes 70 days at 28 degrees Celsius. Reproductive age in captivity has been estimated at 5-6 years, and this is conservatively taken to be the generation length in the wild population, although true generation length is probably longer. One individual was reported to have a 6.3 km² home range, indicating that the species is likely to occur in low population densities, although it is unknown whether this is natural or a result of the depletion of wild populations.
There are protected areas within the range of this species which probably provide small safeguards from harvesting pressure. Conservation measures are required to reduce the rate of habitat destruction occurring within its range and to manage the trade levels of this species. Further research into, and monitoring of the population status of, this species is required, as well as research into sustainable harvesting levels. Taxonomic research is also needed to determine if this species actually consists of a complex of species. Educational programmes may help to minimise the persecution of the species. In Royal Chitwan National Park the King Cobra is included in a new project focusing on ecological monitoring of and providing education about large reptiles, run by Nepal's National Trust for Nature Protection, the park authority, and the Zoological Society of London.
This species is threatened by destruction of habitat due to logging and agricultural expansion, as Southeast Asia is experiencing one of the highest rates of deforestation in the tropics and this species appears to be most abundant in forested habitats. Deforestation is however likely to exert strong pressure at local scales, particularly where snakes are also hunted, and is likely to lead to declines in many of the snakes on which this species feeds. The King Cobra is, however, particularly at risk from the harvesting of individuals for skin, food, pets, and especially traditional Chinese medicine. As the world's largest venomous snake, it is also suffers high levels of persecution by humans throughout its range. The possibility of this snake actually representing a complex of species makes all of these threats even more acute, as individual species within the complex will occur over a smaller area and as smaller populations than the currently recognized Ophiophagus hannah.
Marble Chested Lizard
Status: Data Deficient
The Marble Chested Lizard (Bronchocela marmorata) is endemic to the Philippines, where it is known from the island of Luzon (restricted to the Northern Cordilleras). It has been recorded from the island of Sibuyan. Records from Subic and Catanduanes should be viewed with caution, and a recent listing of this species from Panay (Iloilo district) and records from Negros are almost certainly an error. It has been recorded from around 400 to 800 MASL (meters above sea level).
There is very little known about the natural history of this species, although it is presumed to be arboreal. Animals have been recorded in agricultural areas, although additional details on their persistance in modified habitats are needed. All specimens observed on Sibuyan were seen on the upper part of coconut trees during daytime. It is only known from the initial collection taken in 1907, and from four additional specimens collected over the past ten years .
Threats to this species are currently not known. It might tolerate a degree of habitat degradation, as animals have been reported from agricultural areas and some congeners appear to prefer disturbed sites.
The Marble Chested Lizard (Bronchocela marmorata) is endemic to the Philippines, where it is known from the island of Luzon (restricted to the Northern Cordilleras). It has been recorded from the island of Sibuyan. Records from Subic and Catanduanes should be viewed with caution, and a recent listing of this species from Panay (Iloilo district) and records from Negros are almost certainly an error. It has been recorded from around 400 to 800 MASL (meters above sea level).
There is very little known about the natural history of this species, although it is presumed to be arboreal. Animals have been recorded in agricultural areas, although additional details on their persistance in modified habitats are needed. All specimens observed on Sibuyan were seen on the upper part of coconut trees during daytime. It is only known from the initial collection taken in 1907, and from four additional specimens collected over the past ten years .
Threats to this species are currently not known. It might tolerate a degree of habitat degradation, as animals have been reported from agricultural areas and some congeners appear to prefer disturbed sites.
Philippine Pit Viper
Status: Least Concern
The Philippine Pit Viper (Trimeresurus flavomaculatus) can be found in Camiguin Norte, Luzon, Catanduanes, Panay, Bohol, Mindanao, Polillo, Dinagat and Siargao. It is common at low elevations, and has been recorded at 700 MASL (meters above sea level) in Camiguin Norte, at 600 MASL on Mount Banahaw and between 300 and 400 MASL on Bohol.
This species may be encountered in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from lowland disturbed sites to mid-elevation primary tropical moist forest. Animals have been recorded within both agroforesty and second growth forest habitats. Individuals can be found close to water hunting frogs and similar prey.
This species has been recorded from some protected areas. Further taxonomic work is needed to better understand the systematic status of the recognized subspecies and isolated populations. This especially applies to currently recognized subpopulations, that may be threatened at a global level (such as that of Luzon). Additional fieldwork is needed to determine the impact of collection or persecution on some subpopulations
The Philippine Pit Viper is adaptable, although it can be threatened by severe habitat loss. Animals are collected for the pet trade and suffer from opportunistic persecution, and while it is unlikely that these constitute major threats to the species as a whole, certain subpopulations (such as that of the Bicol Peninsula) might be significantly impacted.
The Philippine Pit Viper (Trimeresurus flavomaculatus) can be found in Camiguin Norte, Luzon, Catanduanes, Panay, Bohol, Mindanao, Polillo, Dinagat and Siargao. It is common at low elevations, and has been recorded at 700 MASL (meters above sea level) in Camiguin Norte, at 600 MASL on Mount Banahaw and between 300 and 400 MASL on Bohol.
This species may be encountered in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from lowland disturbed sites to mid-elevation primary tropical moist forest. Animals have been recorded within both agroforesty and second growth forest habitats. Individuals can be found close to water hunting frogs and similar prey.
This species has been recorded from some protected areas. Further taxonomic work is needed to better understand the systematic status of the recognized subspecies and isolated populations. This especially applies to currently recognized subpopulations, that may be threatened at a global level (such as that of Luzon). Additional fieldwork is needed to determine the impact of collection or persecution on some subpopulations
The Philippine Pit Viper is adaptable, although it can be threatened by severe habitat loss. Animals are collected for the pet trade and suffer from opportunistic persecution, and while it is unlikely that these constitute major threats to the species as a whole, certain subpopulations (such as that of the Bicol Peninsula) might be significantly impacted.
Reticulated Python
Status: Least Concern
The Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) can be found in Southeast Asia from the Nicobar Islands, northeast India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines on the islands of Basilan, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negos, Palawan, Panay, Polillo, Samar, and Tawi-Tawi.
The Reticulated Python lives in rain forests, woodlands, and nearby grasslands. It is also associated with rivers and is found in areas with nearby streams and lakes. An excellent swimmer, it has even been reported far out at sea and has consequently colonised many small islands within its range. During the early years of the twentieth century, it is said to have been common even in busy parts of Bangkok, sometimes eating domestic animals.
This snake does provide economically for the humans in its range that exploit them. They are heavily sold for their skin and meat. Also tourists visiting these areas often buy materials made from these snakes.
This snake is widespread throughout its range but diminishing. Hundreds of thousands of Reticulated Pythons are taken from the wild to be killed for their skins each year, raising doubts about the long-term sustainability of this species (Shine 1999). These animals also fall victim to the Asian ritual of blood drinking and gall bladder removal (McCurley 1999). When encountered in its natural state by humans this snake is almost always killed. Rapid growth rate, early maturation and high fecundity are the only things keeping this snake around (Shine 1999).
The Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) can be found in Southeast Asia from the Nicobar Islands, northeast India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines on the islands of Basilan, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negos, Palawan, Panay, Polillo, Samar, and Tawi-Tawi.
The Reticulated Python lives in rain forests, woodlands, and nearby grasslands. It is also associated with rivers and is found in areas with nearby streams and lakes. An excellent swimmer, it has even been reported far out at sea and has consequently colonised many small islands within its range. During the early years of the twentieth century, it is said to have been common even in busy parts of Bangkok, sometimes eating domestic animals.
This snake does provide economically for the humans in its range that exploit them. They are heavily sold for their skin and meat. Also tourists visiting these areas often buy materials made from these snakes.
This snake is widespread throughout its range but diminishing. Hundreds of thousands of Reticulated Pythons are taken from the wild to be killed for their skins each year, raising doubts about the long-term sustainability of this species (Shine 1999). These animals also fall victim to the Asian ritual of blood drinking and gall bladder removal (McCurley 1999). When encountered in its natural state by humans this snake is almost always killed. Rapid growth rate, early maturation and high fecundity are the only things keeping this snake around (Shine 1999).
Written by Neema Yazdchi
Photos compiled by Tony Yuan
Photos compiled by Tony Yuan