UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Aim: This study aimed to prepare a preliminary checklist of snakes recorded on the Manipur University Campus, Canchipur, Manipur, India.

Study Design: The study was designed to document snake diversity on the Manipur University Campus, Manipur, India, using visual encounter surveys and opportunistic sampling. It was conducted from January 2023 to January 2025.

Place and Duration of Study: Manipur University Campus, Canchipur, Manipur, India, over approximately two years (January 2023–January 2025).

Methodology: Fifty-five snake specimens were collected on the campus through surveys and rescue calls. The collected specimens were photographed, and morphometric and meristic data were recorded. Snake identification was based solely on morphology using available literature.

Results: Eight snake species belonging to three families were morphologically identified among the 55 collected specimens. Six species belonged to Colubridae, while one species each belonged to Typhlopidae and Elapidae. Six species were non-venomous and two were venomous; one species was both venomous and poisonous. One species was listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, six as Least Concern, and one had not yet been assessed. Two species were listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, and the remaining six in Schedule II.

Conclusion: Snake diversity on the MU Campus was lower than that reported for MZU, GU and TUC. Despite the presence of venomous snakes on the campus, recorded human–snake conflict was limited during the study period. The campus also supports snake conservation through cultural and religious practices.