Snakes of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Book

Snakes of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Published by: Chimaira, 2025

Authors: Daniel Jablonski, Soran H. Ahmed, Korsh Ararat, Soma I. Majeed, and Saman A. Ahmad

ISBN: 9783899730456

Language: Bilingual in English and Kurdish

Cover of the book Snakes of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

     The book includes a comprehensive list of snakes with updated taxonomy, detailed descriptions, photos, and distribution maps. The primary aim is to provide an overview of the snake fauna of Kurdistan and neighbouring countries, with a focus on conservation, particularly by helping people in Kurdistan and the Middle East distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes. This is the first work of its kind from Iraq and it is a significant contribution to the literature on the herpetofauna of this region.

     Kurdistan Region is home to a diverse range of snake species from a tiny species such as long-noised worm snake Myriopholis macrorhyncha with around 20 cm to a largest species such as black whip snake Dolichophis jugularis with 250 cm. Currently, 32 species have been confirmed to occur in the region, while the presence of another ten species is considered highly probable. This diversity can be attributed primarily to the region's geographic position, at the intersection of Anatolia, the Mesopotamian Plains, and the Zagros Mountains which has played a major role in shaping current snake fauna.

     Although there are no endemic species in the region, several species endemic to the Zagros Mountains occur in the Kurdistan Region, including Zagrosian zebra snake Spalerosophis microlepis, Dark headed dwarf racer or Zagrosian ringed dwarf snake Eirenis nigrofasciatus, and Andreas’ Racer or Zagrosian whip snake Dolichophis andreanus.

Spalerosophis microlepis, Darbandikhan area. Photo: Daniel Jablonski

Eirenis nigrofasciatus, Hazar Merd area. Photo: Daniel Jablonski

     Among the recorded species, three venomous snakes have been officially recorded in the region, including Levant viper Macrovipera lebetinus, Kurdistan Viper Montivipera raddei, and black desert cobra Walterinnesia morgani. However, the presence of Persian horned viper Pseudocerastes persicus and spider-tailed viper P. urarachnoides is highly suspected in the southeastern part of the region.

Macrovipera lebetinus, Hazar Merd area. Photo: Soran H. Ahmed

Montivipera raddei, Sakran Mountain. Photo: Soran H. Ahmed

The book is available to order from the Chimaira website (Here)

Inside the Kurdistan Region, you can contact us directly to obtain a copy of the book, which we purchased copies from the publisher with a discount.