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Ba Na Nature Reserve 1996
9.0 REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Reptiles were caught opportunistically throughout the phase, and specimens were also caught by
local people. Identification was possible in the field for some snake specimens, using Cox (1991)
and Campden-Main (1970). Other snake specimens, together with lizards and amphibians, were
identified by Dr. Nguyen Van Sang, of IEBR, Hanoi. In addition, two species of forest tortoise
were observed in the field, and being collected by local people (the shell is valued in Chinese
traditional medicine, and the tortoise flesh may be eaten).
A list of amphibian species collected at Ba Na forms Appendix 5, and Reptiles, Appendix 6.
A total of 6 amphibian and 20 reptile species were recorded. Two of the lizard species collected,
Gekko gekko and Physignathus cocincinus, are listed as nationally threatened in the Red Data
Book for Vietnam (Phan Dong Vat, 1992). G. gekko is endangered due to its over-collection for
use in traditional Vietnamese medicine. P.cocincinus is not recorded as present in Quang Nam-
Da Nang province in the RDB. One of the snakes, Ptyas korros, is also listed as threatened in the
Red Data Book.
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