NEW RECORDS AND AN UPDATED CHECKLIST OF SNAKES FROM NGOC SON – NGO LUONG NATURE RESERVE, HOA BINH PROVINCE

Abstract

Three field surveys were conducted in the Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong Nature Reserve, Hoa Binh province, in 2022 and 2023. As a result of taxonomic work, we identify a total of 18 species of snakes (16 genera, 5 families). Our findings increase the number of snake species in the study area to 36, belonging to 27 genera and 8 families. Seven species are recorded for the first time in the nature reserve, with two species being new records to Hoa Binh province: Heller’s Red-necked Keelback (Rhabdophis helleri) and MacClelland’s Coral Snake (Sinomicrurus macclellandi). In terms of conservation concern, nine species are listed in the IUCN Red List (2024), the Red Data Book of Vietnam (2007), Governmental Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP and No. 64/2019/ND-CP.