MERTENSIELLA 18 xx–xx 20 February 2011 ISBN 978-3-9812565-4-3

The Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata) in Syria:

Distribution, Trade and Conservation

Adwan H. Shehab, Aroub Al Masri & Zuhair S. Amr

Abstract. The dice snake (Natrix tessellata) in Syria occurs primarily in the west, the far north east and along the
Euphrates River. Previous and new locality records confirm the known distribution, but also uncover neglected sur-
veys in northern and eastern Syria. A large trade for the national and international pet market is exploiting regional
population of dice snakes, in particular in fish hatcheries. A conservation concept of N. tessellata in Syria is not yet
realized. Literature review and personal field notes show a commonly known biology of the dice snake in Syria.
Key words. Syria, Natrix tessellata, animal market Damascus, threat, new records.

Introduction are from southwestern Syria, where many established

Throughout the Middle East, Syria is relatively rich in
natural freshwater resources as compared with neigh-
boring countries except Turkey. Several permanent riv-
ers and many ponds, lakes and streams cover most of
western Syria, providing relevant habitat for the dice
snake, Natrix tessellata. However, little has been pub-
lished about the distribution of N. tessellata in Syria.
Few papers addressed the distribution of this snake
along with other reptiles in southwestern Syria (Berg-
er-Dell’mour 1986, Sivan & Werner 1992, Ester-
bauer 1985, 1992). Esterbauer (1994) discussed several
aspects of the life history of N. tessellata in southwestern
Syria including biology, feeding habits and behaviour.
Recently, Amr et al. (2007) addressed the problem of
trading in reptiles in Syria, with reference to N. tessel-
lata. In this paper, we discuss the distribution, trade and
conservation of N. tessellata in Syria.
Materials and Methods
Field trips by the authors covering various habitats in
Syria were conducted since 1996 to the present. New and
published localities for Natrix tessellata were compiled
and mapped. Field observations on the biology of N.
tessellata were recovered from field note books regard-
ing feeding, other behaviour and ecology. We visited the
local animal market in Damascus several times during
2003–2009 and present the observations as well as sum-
mary aspects of trade and conservation for N. tessellata
in Syria.
Results and Discussion
Distribution of Natrix tessellata in Syria
The dice snake, Natrix tessellata, is distributed through-
out the western part of Syria, but it has been observed
only in a few localities in the east (Fig. 1). Most records
©  2011 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde e.V. (DGHT), Rheinbach, Germany
populations are known. However, new findings show its
extended distribution into eastern Syria along the lower
reaches of the tributaries of the Euphrates River as far
south as the border with Iraq. This indicates that the Eu-
phrates River is the largest and probably the most rele-
vant aquatic habitat for Natrix tessellata in eastern Syria.
Generally, N. tessellata occurs in all accessible aquatic
habitats from fish hatcheries, lakes, springs to rivers.
N. tessellata appears to be locally very common. It was
found in particular high densities along dams and fish
ponds. For instance, more than 50 snakes were observed
within an hour in Saddelaien near Swieda, and hun-
dreds of snakes were recovered by snake hunters from
fish farms around Al-Mozirieb. Particularly interesting
is the isolated museum record from Palmira (Palmyra)
(Fig. 1), a locality surrounded by deserts. We don’t know,
whether dice snakes still exists there, as this record orig-
inates from the last century. But at least, it is a witness
of a once wider distribution of N. tessellata in Syria, and
with that of a different landscape containing more wa-
ter. The area of Ataibe (Bahr el Aateibe), 20 km east of
Damascus, pertain also to an area that has suffered se-
vere to complete water loss, so that we presume the dice
snake is extinct there today.
Notes on the Biology of N. tessellata in Syria
In southern Syria, the many new fish farms harbor large
populations of Natrix tessellata, as they feed on the
abundant fish. This area is a small dam fed by tributary
wadis and surrounded by relatively thick vegetation.
Many N. tessellata are easily spotted there when they
come to the surface by only sticking their heads out. In
Al-Mozirieb, for instance, hundreds of snakes could be
seen in the artificial fish pond, where Tilapia zilli fish is
cultivated (Fig. 2). Occasionally, anurans are consumed
as well, as a specimen from Sadderom had vomited an
adult Pelophylax bedriagae in June 1999.
1
 Adwan H. Shehab, Aroub Al Masri & Zuhair S. Amr

The hibernation period of N. tessellata in southern
Syria does not differ much from those reported for Eu-
rope, as it lasts from the end of October until the early
March (Gruschwitz et al. 1999). Hibernating individu-
als have been found during January and February 2003
in Saddelaien and Sadderom. They were resting calmly
under rocks or old tree branches. .
Others have reported on various aspects of N. tessel-
lata in southern Syria. Martens (1996) found the grass
snake (N. natrix) coexisting with N. tessellata in the
area of Al Chatib with N. tessellata to be more common.
Esterbauer (1994) gave a comprehensive account on
N. tessellata from southwestern Syria, where he visited
some ponds over a period of 8 months, with those at
Masil Al Fawar on a daily basis. According to his ac-
counts, N. tessellata was difficult to observe, because it
reacted rapidly to human approach by fleeing into the
water and hiding or disappearing in the water and under
water plants for hours. He also described the combina-
tion of feigning death and aposematic behavior of Syr-
ian N. tessellata, including turning its eyes to the mouth
corner, opening its mouth, twisting its tail and exposing
its contrastingly coloured ventral side.

Fig. 1. A: Distribution of N. tessellata in Syria; B (next page): enlarged for SW Syria.

New records: (1) Al Salha-Malkieh, (2) Hemo-Al Qamishli, (3) Tabka Malkieh, (5) Ma’adan, (6) Al Tebne, (7) Shat’ha, (8) Ayn
Abu Jum’aa, (9) Dier Azour, (10) Mohasan, (11) Al Miadien, (12) Al Ashara, (13) As’ Salihiyyah, (14) Al Boukamal, (15) Tartous
Homs Road, (17) Zarzar Lake, (18) Abu Jarash (Damascus), (19) Ghota, (29) Rwehenah Dam, (30) Abdeen, (31) Sadderom,
(32) Al-Mozirieb, (33) 10 km E Sweida, (34) Tall Gnaieh, (35) Nabe’ Ira, (36) Saddelaien, (37) Amtan.
Previous records: (4) Taftanaz (Lymberakis & Kalionzopoulou 2003), (16) Al Chatib (Martens 1996), (20) Arnah (Ester-
bauer 1992), (21) Mount Hermon (Sivan & Werner 1992), (22) Hadar (Esterbauer 1992), (23) Masil Al Fawar (Esterbauer
1994), (24) Harfa, SE Halas (Esterbauer 1992), (25) Taranjah (Esterbauer 1992), (26) Khan Uraynibah (Esterbauer 1992),
(27) Al Hamidiyah (Esterbauer 1992), (28) Golan (Berger-Dell’mour 1986), (23).
Museum records: (5) HUJR 8270–8273, H. Zinner, 1966, Ma’adan, (16) MHNP 1935–346, Homs, (38) ZMUZ 121236, Alep-
po, (39) HUJR 8274–8276, coll. H. Zinner 1966, Sabch - 4 km NW of Sabcha, (40) MHNP 1925-47 to 1925-54, Ataibe, near
Otaybah and Bahret el Ateibe (= Utaibe, Otaibe, 20 km east of Damascus ), (41) MHNP 1935-349 to 1935–352, Hama, (42)
MHNP 1976-364, Palmyra, (43) MHNG 1388.26–1388.29, Fariatian (= Qariatien), (44) MHNP 6469-70, Lake Tiberiade.
Abbreviations:
HUJR: Herpetological Collection in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
MHNP: Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
MHNG: Museum Histoire Naturelle de Geneve, Switzerland
ZMUZ: Zoological Museum University of Zürich, Switzerland

2
 Distribution, Trade and Conservation of Dice Snakes in Syria

Fig. 2. Fish farm at Al-Mozirieb, yielding a high density of Natrix tessellata.

3
 Adwan H. Shehab, Aroub Al Masri & Zuhair S. Amr
Fig. 3. A bag filled with Natrix tessellata collected by snake
collectors from the Al-Mozirieb fish farm.
We found the basic dorsal color of N. tessellata to
vary from gray, olive, to reddish brown. Very pale yel-
lowish to olive specimens were also observed as well as
dark to melanistic specimens. The dark form represents
3% of all our observed specimens (Fig. 3).
Trade of N. tessellata in Syria
Over the past years, we visited the animal market in
downtown Damascus several times. More than 10 shops
are specialized in selling live local animals (birds, mam-
mals and reptiles). We have observed that tens of N. tes-
sellata specimens were placed in crowded water con-
tainers, including several dead specimens. These snakes
are sold for about 2 US$ a piece as “aquarium” animals.
They are sent to Turkey and Europe by buses and other
land transport as indicated by customs officers on the
borders. They are not consumed or used as a subscrip-
tion for folk medicine or other traditional practices. In
2004, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature
in Jordan seized a “bag of snakes” which contained over
100 N. tessellata specimens originating from Syria (Amr
et al. 2007). These snakes most likely are condemned to
die.
In February 2009, the senior author visited the ani-
mal market in downtown Damascus and observed nine
jars filled with snakes (N. tessellata and perhaps a few
N. natrix), originating from fish farms in the Al Ghab
area. Each jar contained probably up to 100 snakes (Fig.
4). Other dice snakes at this animal market are collected
from Zarzar Lake.
In these shops, the unfortunate snakes die within two
weeks, presumably due to the stress and/or suffocation
inflicted by the crowded conditions and lack of food.
Snakes sold to private consumers usually do not survive
more than two weeks with their new owners, as some
told us that they kept the snakes in fish aquaria without
proper feeding and rearing conditions.
4
Fig. 4. Hundreds of Natrix tessellata languish in containers for
sale in the animal market in Damascus.
A great threat stems from the many fish farms that
have been established in Syria, There, N. tessellata is
persecuted in great numbers. Farmers consider these
snakes as a pest that feed on young fish and remove and
kill them regularly. In one occasion at a fish farm in Al-
Mozirieb, we observed a bag filled with tens of fresh-
ly collected N. tessellata (Fig. 3). In Al Ghab, along the
Orontes River, we encountered many killed snakes near
fish farms and agricultural areas.
The continuance of such illegal trade will very prob-
ably affect the status of N. tessellata in Syria, and in the
worst case, lead to a drastic decline in local populations.
Overcollecting of certain species raises the need to eval-
uate the level of trade and make sure that it is not caus-
ing irreversible declines in wild populations. A proper
management plan for a sustainable harvest is desired,
as it has been done for another semi-aqautic snake spe-
cies (Micucci & Waller 2007). In Syria, no records to
track the imports and exports of reptiles are available.
The lack of information implies that population declines
due to overcollecting could be going undetected. Fur-
ther investigation should focus on the actual number of
traded animals in Syria (Amr et al. 2007).
The concept of conservation in its broad spectrum is
not yet fully realized in Syria, despite the presence of a
conservation authority. This is mainly due to lack of ex-
perience and knowledge in this multidisciplinary task.
Syria has no area-based environmental laws or protect-
ed area system dedicated explicitly towards conserving
biodiversity. However, the General Commission of En-
vironmental Affairs is currently drafting a nature con-
servation law, and there is a system of protected forests
and rangelands (Amr et al. 2007).
Collecting and hunting animals occurs throughout
Syria and is said to be increasing. The hunting laws are
considered to be strict, but despite the efforts of the au-
thorities, many collect and trade animals illegally. Law
enforcement and awareness should be the first priority
for the Syrian authorities to regulate this trade. None-
 Distribution, Trade and Conservation of Dice Snakes in Syria

theless, N. tessellata is still common in Syria. However,
reassessment of the local populations is urgently re-
quired. Further studies on the populations inhabiting
the Euphrates should be conducted in order to check if
these populations are also under threat of trade.
Acknowledgments
We wish to thank Eng. Ibrahim Zaghtiti from the GIS unit
(ACSAD) for his help in producing the maps. We also extend
our gratitude to Mr. Ahmad Eidek for his help during our
visit to the Euphrates and for providing additional records.
Our great appreciation goes to Konrad Mebert for his valu-
able editing of the text and addition of locality records from
museum specimens.
References
Amr, Z., Shehab A. & M. Abu Baker (2007): Some observations
on the herpetofauna of Syria with notes on Trade in reptiles. –
Herpetozoa 20: 21–26.
Berger-Dell’mour, V.H. (1986): Zur Herpetofauna des Golan. –
Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien 87B: 59–67.
Esterbauer, H. (1985): Zur Herpetofauna Südwestsyriens. –
Herpetofauna 7: 23–34.
Esterbauer, H. (1992): Die Herpetofauna des östlichen Golan-
und Hermongebietes. Funde und Bemerkungen zur Systema-
tik und Ökologie. – Zoology in the Middle East 7: 21–54.
Esterbauer, H. (1994): Lebensweise und Verhalten der Würfel-
natter im Masil al Fawwar (Syrien). – DATZ 47: 308–311
Gruschwitz, M., Lenz, S., Mebert, K. & V. Laňka (1999): Na-
trix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768) – Würfelnatter. – In: Böhme, W.
(Ed.): Handbuch der Reptilien und Amphibien Europas, Vol.
3/Schlangen II. – AULA-Verlag, Wiesbaden, Germany: 581–
644.
Lymberakis, P. & A. Kalionzopoulou (2003): Additions to the
herpetofauna of Syria. – Zoology in the Middle East 29: 33–39.
Martens, H. (1996): The rediscovery of the grass snake Natrix
natrix (L.) in the Levant. – Zoology in the Middle East 12: 59–
64.
Micucci, P.A. & T. Waller (2007): The management of yellow
anacondas (Eunectes notaeus) in Argentina: From historical
misuse to resource appreciation. – Iguana 14(3): 160–171.
Sivan, N. & Y.L. Werner (1992): Survey of the reptiles of the Go-
lan Plateau and Mt. Hermon, Israel. – Israel Journal of Zool-
ogy 37: 193–211.

Authors
Adwan H. Shehab, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Douma, P. O. Box 113,
Damascus, Syria; e-mail: a.shehab@mail.sy; Aroub Al Masri, National Commission for Biotechnology (NCBT),
Head of Biodiversity Laboratory, P.O.B. 3839, Damascus, Syria; Zuhair S. Amr, Department of Biology, Jordan Uni-
versity of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan.