Indonesia: Researcher identifies 52 species of reptiles in W Sumatra

Antara 1 Jul 15;

Padang (ANTARA News) - A researcher of reptiles Salvator Fakhrul Reza successfully identified 52 species of reptiles such as snakes, lizards and turtles around Karamuntiang Hills, Padang city, West Sumatra province.

"The 52 species include three orders and 12 families of reptiles," Reza said here on Wednesday.

He mentioned that the three orders of reptiles were lizards (sauria), snakes (serpentes), and turtles (testudines).

Of the 52 species of reptiles identified, as many 32 were serpentes.

Some species included in the order were Sumatran cobra (Naja sumatrana), python (Python reticulatus), and green snake from the Viperidae family, among others.

The second-largest order comprised 15 species of sauria such as geckos, giant geckos, and lizards.

In addition, the testudines order included the two families of Geoemydidae and Trionychidae, Reza stated.

"Besides the reptiles, Karamuntiang Hills has 18 species of frogs, more than 150 species of birds, and 10 species of rodents, as well," he pointed out.

Furthermore, a biologist from Andalas University, Wilson Novarino, noted that apart from the reptiles, the area around Karamuntiang Hills often serves as a resting place for Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris).

During a certain period, he added, the endangered animal often enters the biology forest areas of Andalas University, leaving behind footprints or caught passing by on cameras.
(T.KR-LWA/INE/KR-BSR/B003)