Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

Widespread and abundant across South Africa hence is assessed regionally as Least Concern.

Distribution

Occurs throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa and extends to the Arabian Peninsula (Broadley 1990, Spawls and Branch 1995). Very widespread in the South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini (Swaziland) region, avoiding only the driest desert and the highest mountains (Branch 1998, Bates et al. 2014).

Population trend

Trend

The population is estimated to be stable.

Threats

Fear-driven persecution of this snake by humans is the main threat as people usually kill them whenever they are encountered.

Uses and trade

The species is known from the traditional medicine trade in South Africa (Whiting et al. 2011). It is used elsewhere across its range for food and traditional medicine.

Conservation

The species is recorded from many protected areas across its wide range and no species-specific conservation actions are in place and none are needed.

Lead agencies, Partners and Funders

See the partners page