Red List of South African Species

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

Rationale (Changed due to Criteria Revision|Knowledge of criteria)

This species is widespread with a large extent of occurrence (>320,000 km2), with an overall loss of quality and extent of habitat across its distribution. The distribution is naturally patchy and with habitat loss in these same patches, local extinctions could occur. This habitat loss is likely to be causing population declines, but these are not considered severe enough at present to be negatively affecting this species overall, due to its large EOO. It is therefore listed as Least Concern.


Distribution

Near endemic to South Africa, ranging into western Eswatini [Swaziland]. The species has a patchy distribution, with records in western Eswatini and the South African provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. Two records in the northern part of the Eastern Cape (see Branch 1988) were incorrectly mapped and have been excluded (Bates et al. 2014).

Decline

Severely fragmented grassland habitats through the range.

Population trend

Trend

No information is currently available on population size but it is thought to be declining as grassland habitats become transformed across the range.

Threats

Threats are varied but ultimately they all relate to loss, degradation and/or fragmentation of habitat. Grasslands in South Africa, particularly in the montane regions, are under severe pressure primarily as a result of afforestation and overly frequent burns (CSIR 2008). Urban, industrial and mining developments in the Gauteng Highveld have transformed much of the former habitat of this species, and these threats continue unabated. Likewise, large-scale crop farming in the Free State and Gauteng is likely to have had, and continues to have, a significantly detrimental impact on the habitat of this species.

Uses and trade

This species is not utilized.

Conservation

Better information regarding the patchiness of this species, and whether viable populations are being impacted by habitat loss would be beneficial for understanding the level of threat. Ultimately additional protection of  grassland habitat for both landuse and too frequent burning would be beneficial to this species survival. At present, the species is considered Well Protected (Tolley et al. unpub. data, 2018) mainly due to its large EOO.

References 

[@electronic{181632,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-2},
 year = {2018}
}
,@article{3069,
 author = {McLachlan, A.},
 journal = {South African National Scientific Programmes Report},
 number = {23},
 title = {South African Red Data Book - Reptiles and Amphibians},
 year = {1978}
}
,@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}
}
,@book{2817,
 address = {Cape Town},
 author = {Marais, J.},
 publisher = {Struik},
 title = {A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa},
 year = {2004}
}
,@article{5336,
 author = {De Waal, S.W.P.},
 journal = {Memoirs of the National Museum of Bloemfontein},
 pages = {1--160},
 title = {The Squamata (Reptilia) of the Orange Free State, South Africa},
 volume = {11},
 year = {1978}
}
,@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{5336,
 author = {Bourquin, O.},
 journal = {Durban Museum Novitates},
 pages = {57--103},
 title = {Reptiles (Reptilia) in KwaZulu-Natal: 1 - diversity and distribution},
 volume = {29},
 year = {2004}
}
,@book{10242,
 address = {Pretoria, South Africa},
 author = {CSIR},
 publisher = {Unpublished Report, CSIR},
 title = {Land Use Data for Agriculture, Forestry and other Land Uses (AFOLU) Sector: Input into Greenhouse Inventory report of South Africa. Draft 2.1},
 year = {2008}
}
,@book{10242,
 address = {Parklands, South Africa},
 author = {Broadley, D.G.},
 publisher = {Jonathan Ball and Ad. Donker Publishers},
 title = {FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern Africa},
 year = {1990}
}
,]
Send feedback about this assessment to SANBI

Lead agencies, Partners and Funders

See the partners page