Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Bryan Maritz Marius Burger
Facilitators: Graham Alexander Krystal Tolley
Reviewers: Michael Bates Juan-Jacques Forgus Krystal Tolley Luke Verburgt Josh Weeber

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

A widespread and common species, no serious threats, hence it is listed as Least Concern.

Distribution

Near endemic to South Africa, ranging into western Eswatini [Swaziland] and near the border of western Lesotho, suggesting that it may also occur there (Bates et al. 2014). Widespread in the region but generally absent from arid areas. The range includes most of South Africa including provinces of Western Cape,  Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, eastern Free State, southeastern North-West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo s as far north as the Tshipise area (De Waal 1978, Jacobsen 1989, Broadley 1990, Bourquin 2004). There are also a few scattered records in the southern parts of the Northern Cape Province, an isolated subpopulation in the Port Nolloth/Kleinsee area, and a few questionable old records from around Kimberley.

Population trend

Trend

The population is suspected to be stable. An estimate of the number of existing subpopulations is not possible.

Threats

No threats are currently recognized.

Uses and trade

Species is not utilized.

Conservation

No conservation actions are recommended, although research into the taxonomic status of different colour morphs should be conducted (Bates et al. 2014)

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}
}
,@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 = {Parklands, South Africa},
 author = {Broadley, D.G.},
 publisher = {Jonathan Ball and Ad. Donker Publishers},
 title = {FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern Africa},
 year = {1990}
}
,@book{110133193,
 address = {Halfway House, South Africa},
 author = {Spawls, S. and Branch, W.R.},
 publisher = {Southern Book Publishers},
 title = {The Dangerous Snakes of Africa},
 year = {1995}
}
,]
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