Telescopus dhara ssp. dhara | UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles

Taxa
Telescopus dhara ssp. dhara | (Forskål, 1775)
Publication
UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Vertebrates
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Reptiles
Assessed taxon level
Subspecies
Taxonomic Notes
Following Crochet et al. (2008), the distinct forms Telescopus dhara obtusus and T. d. somalicus, sometimes treated as full species, are provisionally retained as subspecies of T. dhara pending systematic treatment to clarify their appropriate status.
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
In the United Arab Emirates, this subspecies is known from the Hajar Mountains (Gardner et al. 2009, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press), from sea level to 600 m asl.Globally, the subspecies range is restricted, following (Crochet et al. 2008) to the Arabian Peninsula, mostly in the mountainous periphery (Saudi Arabia, Oman (Carranza et al. 2018), UAE, Yemen), west to the Sinai Peninsula, north to Israel (close to the southern West Bank of Palestine) and Jordan.
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
In the United Arab Emirates, the species is found in rocky, mountainous areas from sea level to 600 m asl. It is a crepuscular and nocturnal species that feeds on geckos, birds, bats and rodents (Gardner 2013). It has been recorded to be active and hunting on cold winter nights (Gardner 2013). The mating season is in summer and spring. Its oviparous with female laying a clutch of 6-20 eggs (Gardner 2013).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Least Concern
Assessment status abreviation
LC
Assessment rationale/justification
In the United Arab Emirates, this subspecies is known from the Hajar Mountains. The species is listed as Least Concern as there are no known significant direct threats to the species that may cause a decline in its population size presently or in the near future. The majority of the species' habitat in its range remains suitable and is unlikely to be altered in the near future. This taxon is not a non-breeding visitor, and it is presumed that any immigration from populations outside the UAE is not significant, and therefore there is no adjustment to the Category according to the IUCN regional and national Guidelines (IUCN 2012).
About the assessment
Assessment year
2018
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
There are limited threats to the species, which are restricted to the outer limits of its distribution range within the United Arab Emirates, with no known direct impact on the species. Potential threats to the species are quarrying and residential development. The species may be persecuted, as with all snakes.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Telescopus dhara ssp. dhara Animalia Chordata Reptilia Squamata Colubridae Telescopus