SEASONAL DIVERSITY OF SNAKES IN AMASSOMA AND ITS ADJOINING TOWNS IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA


Charles Embelemi Edure, Ogamba, Emmanuel . N
Department of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Abstract
A seasonal baseline assessment of the diversity and abundance of snakes in Amassoma and Its Adjoining Towns in Bayelsa State was conducted from January to December 2021. This was done to determine the current status of the distribution and abundance of snakes and measure the effect of weather on the availability of snakes and the stability of the ecosystem. Snakes samples were obtained using traps, fences, visual searches and from Collections of Killed & dead snakes. Result show that a total of 1,007 individuals were collected in the dry season and 1,276 individuals in the wet season representing 14 species of snakes belonging to 6 families was recorded from the different study areas. Of these, 1 species belong to the family Boidae, 5 species under family Colubridae, 2 species of Elapidae, 1 species belonging to family Viperidae, 3 species belong to the family Pythonidae and 2 species belong to the family Lamprophidae. There was more number of individuals captured in the wet season than in the dry season. This may be due to the fact that snakes are more prevalent in the wet season as they attempt to warm up due to decreasing temperatures in their hide-out. Snake diversity and abundance in this study are similar to those obtained in other studies in similar and comparable environments. It can therefore be concluded that snake populations in the Bayelsa state are not under any serious threat and the stability of the ecosystem is assured.
Keywords: Distribution, Abundance, Reptiles, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Journal Name :
EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR)

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Published on : 2024-10-05

Vol : 10
Issue : 10
Month : October
Year : 2024
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