Red List of South African Species

Alternatively, Explore species
| National Red List categories | Partners |
Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Bryan Maritz
Contributors: Josh Weeber
Facilitators: Graham Alexander Krystal A Tolley Ranmali De Silva Harriet Milligan Oliver Wearn Sally Wren Tara Zamin Jennifer Sears Penny Wilson Sarah Lewis Paul Lintott Gary Powney
Reviewers: Michael Bates Juan-Jacques Forgus Krystal A Tolley Luke Verburgt

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

Widespread, and common in parts of its range with no substantial threats (Bates et al. 2014), hence it is assessed as Least Concern.

Distribution

Endemic to South Africa and Eswatini [Swaziland] (Bates et al. 2014). This is a predominantly temperate species that occurs from the southwestern Cape eastwards through the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, northeastern Free State, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Limpopo provinces of South Africa, as well as Eswatini. May occur in Lesotho but not yet recorded from that country.

Population trend

Trend

The population is suspected to be stable, given its wide distribution and relatively low level of habitat alteration.

Threats

The overall habitat where this species occurs is  habitat loss as a result of anthropogenic habitat transformation including development and agriculture. These threats are relatively low given the species overall large distribution, although the northeastern portion of the range is heavily impacted.

Uses and trade

Not known to be utilized in any way.

Conservation

No conservation actions are recommended. The range coincides with many protected areas.

References 

[@electronic{181632,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-2},
 year = {2018}
}
,@book{612,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {Bates, M.F., Branch, W.R., Bauer, A.M., Burger, M., Marais, J., Alexander, G.J. and de Villiers, M.S.},
 publisher = {Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute},
 title = {Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland},
 year = {2014}
}
,@book{2817,
 address = {Cape Town},
 author = {Branch, W.R.},
 publisher = {Struik Publishers},
 title = {Field Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Second Edition},
 year = {1998}
}
,@techreport{5336,
 address = {Pretoria, South Africa},
 author = {Jacobsen, N.H.G.},
 institution = {Chief Directorate of Nature and Environmental Conservation},
 title = {The distribution and conservation status of reptiles and amphibians in the Transvaal. Final Report Project TN 6/4/1/30},
 year = {1989}
}
,@article{11229,
 author = {Kelly, C.M.R., Branch, W.R., Broadley, D.G., Barker, N.P and Villet, M.H.},
 journal = {Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution},
 number = {3},
 pages = {415--426},
 title = {Molecular systematics of the African snake family Lamprophiidae Fitzinger, 1843 (Serpentes: Elapoidea), with particular focus on the genera <i>Lamprophis</i> Fitzinger 1843 and <i>Mehelya</i> Csiki 1903},
 volume = {58},
 year = {2011}
}
,]
Send feedback about this assessment to SANBI

Lead agencies, Partners and Funders

See the partners page