Small Mammals, Human-caused Snake Mortality, and Snake Conservation in the Landscape of Tolipir (Aza

Faiz, Abu-ul-Hassan

Women University of Azad Kashmir (Bagh), Pakistan

The present study was conducted in the high elevation (2682 m asl) landscape of Tolipir (Azad Jammu and Kashmir), Pakistan, to record mortality rates of snakes in several villages. WE estimated that 500 snakes (17 genera, 25 species) were killed yearly in four villages. The mortality data were correlated with rodent population fluctuations in surrounding fields and houses. When rodent populations were low, snake mortality in the fields also was low. In contrast, when rodent populations were high, snake mortality in the fields also was high. When rodent populations were high in houses, maximum snake mortality was documented. Snake conservation measures will be discussed with respect to population fluctuations and the control of local rodents.