SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Knowledge of criteria)

The species is a habitat specialist with a small distribution across a region of South Africa that is impacted by habitat transformation due to mining and urbanization. Although about 10% of the species distribution falls within Protected Areas, much of the range has been altered. While there is no obvious evidence of a reduction in extent of occurrence at present, the extent of habitat alteration is considered substantial. Changes in ownership of mines suggests that mining approaches and associated environmental policies might be in a state of flux. The species is therefore considered Near Threatened.

Distribution

Endemic to southern Africa. Found from the mouth of the Olifants River in the Western Cape, South Africa, northwards to Lüderitz Bay in southwestern Namibia (Branch 1998, Bates et al. 2014).

Decline

Habitat appears to be almost continuous.

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

The population is suspected to be stable. Maritz and Alexander (2012) showed that the species can occur at high population densities (approximately 8 individuals/ha) suggesting that the regional and global populations are quite large.

Threats

Mining and associated activities destroy the local habitat of this species. There is demand for this species in the pet trade but the numbers of animals removed from the wild for this purpose is unknown.

Uses and trade

The numbers of animals removed from the wild and the numbers bred in captivity are unknown.

Conservation

This habitat specialist occurs in an area that is heavily affected by habitat transformation. It would be useful to conduct studies on demographic trends in both impacted and non-impacted areas to assess the effects of habitat alternation.

References

[@book{2426,
 address = {Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK},
 author = {Baillie, J. and Groombridge, B.},
 publisher = {International Union for Conservation of Nature},
 title = {1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals},
 year = {1996}
}
,@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{10242,
 address = {Parklands, South Africa},
 author = {Broadley, D.G.},
 publisher = {Jonathan Ball and Ad. Donker Publishers},
 title = {FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern Africa},
 year = {1990}
}
,@article{2818,
 author = {Branch, W.R.},
 title = {South African Red Data Book – Reptiles and Amphibians.},
 year = {1988}
}
,@article{2818,
 author = {Haacke, W.D.},
 journal = {Cimbebasia},
 number = {4},
 pages = {115--128},
 title = {Description of a new adder (Viperidae, Reptilia) from southern Africa, with a discussion of related forms.},
 year = {1975}
}
,@article{2818,
 author = {Maritz, B. and Alexander, G.J.},
 journal = {Herpetologica},
 number = {2},
 pages = {195--202},
 title = {Population density and survival estimates of the African viperid, <i>Bitis schneideri</i>},
 volume = {68},
 year = {2012}
}
,@article{2818,
 author = {Maritz, B. and Alexander, G.J.},
 journal = {African Journal of Herpetology},
 number = {1},
 pages = {79--86},
 title = {Namaqua Dwarf Adders are generalist predators},
 volume = {63},
 year = {2014}
}
,@article{2818,
 author = {Maritz, B. and Alexander, G.J.},
 journal = {Journal of Zoology},
 number = {1},
 pages = {27--31},
 title = {Namaqua dwarf adders must breed frequently: the problem with being small},
 volume = {289},
 year = {2013}
}
,]

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