Red List of South African Species

Alternatively, Explore species
| National Red List categories | Partners |
Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Bryan Maritz Andrew Turner
Facilitators: Graham Alexander Krystal Tolley
Reviewers: Michael Bates Juan-Jacques Forgus Krystal Tolley Luke Verburgt

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria|)

This habitat specialist has a moderately small range in South Africa. However, much of the range is inhospitable to people and populations are formally protected in the Augrabies and Richtersveld national parks.  The species is therefore considered as Least Concern given the lack of significant threats across the South African range. It should be noted that the species does occur in the pet trade but the level of trade and the potential impacts on wild populations is not known.

Distribution

Endemic to South Africa and Namibia. Restricted to the lower Orange River, from Augrabies Falls to the Richtersveld (Northern Cape, South Africa), and northwards into Namibia as far as Aus (Branch 1998, Bates et al. 2014).

Population trend

Trend

The population is suspected to be stable.

Threats

Although there is some collection for the pet trade, it is not known whether this is a threat to wild populations.

Uses and trade

Some individuals are removed from the wild for the pet trade, but the numbers removed are unknown.

Conservation

A more detailed understanding of the ecological requirements of this snake will be useful for assessing suitable habitat. Quantification of collection for the pet trade will allow for a sensible response to this potential threat.


References 

[@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}
}
,@article{2818,
 author = {Branch, W.R.},
 title = {South African Red Data Book – Reptiles and Amphibians.},
 year = {1988}
}
,]
Send feedback about this assessment to SANBI

Lead agencies, Partners and Funders

See the partners page