Preliminary results of the international herpetological expedition under research grant BR28712767
Between 19 April and 13 May 2026, international field herpetological research was conducted in the West Kazakhstan, Atyrau and Aktobe regions as part of research programme BR28712767 ‘Study of the ecological, socio-demographic, economic-geographical and palaeobiogeographical aspects of the Urals region and assessment of its natural resource potential’. Foreign researchers from Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the Russian Federation also took part in the field research. New sightings of amphibians and reptiles were recorded. A total of 1,400 specimens of 20 species were found. During the expedition three species of amphibians and 13 species of reptiles were encountered. A total of 385 samples were collected for DNA analysis. The results of the expedition will be processed.
The most interesting findings:
- The Sarmatian Rat Snake has been recorded for the first time in West Kazakhstan Region; it was found in the Bokeiorda District at the foot of Mount Maloye Bogdo. It was previously thought that a section of the north-western boundary of the eastern part of the species’ fragmented range ran through the Atyrau Region (the western part of the range covers the left bank of the Astrakhan Region). The species is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- Data has been obtained indicating a wider distribution of the Caspian whip snake in the Bokeiorda District of West Kazakhstan Region, north of the village of Khan Orda and near the village of Shungai. The species is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- Three individuals of the Smooth snake butterfly were observed on Mount Bolshaya Ichka in the Kamenny Dol area. This once again confirms its presence in the West Kazakhstan Region. We have recommended that the species be included in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- The presence of the eastern steppe viper has been recorded for the first time on Mount Aktolagay in the Aktobe Region.
