Psammophiidae, Dowling, 1967

Aloufi, Abdulhadi, Zayer, Mohammed Al & Amr, Zuhair S., 2023, Reptiles and Amphibians along the Coastal Area of the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, Ecologica Montenegrina 68, pp. 66-87 : 80

Family Psammophiidae

Malpolon moilensis (Reuss, 1834) Fig. 9D

Observed: Mulejah , Al Nairyah Governorate, 18.6.2023 . Sheab Abo Reja , Al Jubail Governorate, 4.7.2023 . Qatar highway farms, Al Hassa Governorate , 4.9.2023 .

Remarks: This is a common species inhabiting deserts of Arabia and surrounding countries. Many records were reported from western, northern and central Saudi Arabia ( Gasperetti, 1988). It was reported from Abu Hadriyah, Abqaiq, Hufof and Dhahran ( Haas, 1957; Mandeville, 1967; Gasperetti, 1988), Al Hassa ( Al-Sadoon, 2010), and Batina Island near Al Jubail ( Martens, 1996).

Psammophis schokari (Forsskål, 1775) Fig. 9E

Material examined: EZC066, Abo Ma’an , 3.6.2023 . Observed : Badr Street, 16.6.2023 . Hejrat Al Oseverat , 3.9.2023 . Al Hassa National Park , 3.9.2023 . Qatar highway farms, 4.9.2023 .

Remarks: The Schokari sand racer is a common diurnal snake inhabiting a wide variety of habitats in Saudi Arabia, ranging from rocky to gravel areas with scarce vegetation cover ( Gasperetti, 1988). It was reported from Dhahran, Qatif, Jabal Qara ( Haas, 1957; Gasperetti, 1988), the islands around Al Jubail and Al-Aba oasis ( Martens, 1996), and from several localities in Al Hassa ( Al-Sadoon, 2010).

Figures

Figure 9. A. Eryx jayakari. B. Lytorhynchus diadema. C. Platyceps ventromaculatus. D. Malpolon moilensis. E. Psammophis schokari. F. Cerastes gasperetti.