Taxon name
Telescopus dhara ssp. dhara
(Forskål, 1775)
Infrarank
Telescopus dhara dhara
Infratype
Subspecies (animalia)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Telescopus dhara ssp. dhara
(Forskål, 1775)
Assessed taxon level
Subspecies
Infrarank
Telescopus dhara dhara
Infratype
Subspecies (animalia)
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Reptiles
Species authority
(Forskål, 1775)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
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.
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
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).
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
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.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
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.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
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).
Threats and conservation measures listed
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.
Publication
Els, J., Allen, D., Hilton-Taylor, C., Harding, K. (2019). UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles. MOCCAE, UAE
