Acrantophis dumerili

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	REPTILIA	SQUAMATA	BOIDAE

Scientific Name:

Acrantophis dumerili

Species Authority:

Jan, 1860

Common Name/s:

English	–	Dumeril's Boa, Madagascar Ground Boa
French	–	Boa de Duméril, Boa des savanes de Duméril

Taxonomic Notes:

Specimens in the south and southeast require further taxonomic study (Glaw and Vences 2007). The northernmost records might be a hybrid zone with A. madagascariensis.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2011

Assessor/s:

Raxworthy, C.J., Ramanamanjato, J.-B. & Randriamahazo, H.

Reviewer/s:

Cox, N.A. & Bowles, P.

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern, as it is widespread, adaptable and is subject to no significant threats.

History:

1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Insufficiently Known (Groombridge 1994)
1990	–	Insufficiently Known (IUCN 1990)
1988	–	Insufficiently Known (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
1986	–	Insufficiently Known (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to Madagascar where it is widespread in the south and southwest of the island, occurring from near Bemaraha in the north, to Morondava and Toliara on the west coast and Sainte Luce on the east coast (Glaw and Vences 2007). The snake's extent of occurrence is estimated to be 242,716 km², and it has been reported from between sea level and 1,300 m.
Countries:	Native: Madagascar
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species is relatively common in southern and central Madagascar (Glaw and Vences 2007).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species inhabits intact and disturbed dry forest and thorn bush at low and mid-elevations (Glaw and Vences 2007). It is also found in savanna settings on the central highlands. It can be encountered in disturbed habitats such as eucalyptus forests and villages. It is usually terrestrial and larger specimens are cathemeral whilst juveniles are mostly nocturnal. It is viviparous and litters consist of 6-13 small juveniles. It feeds on wild terrestrial vertebrates as well as domestic poultry.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This species inhabits intact and disturbed dry forest and thorn bush at low and mid-elevations (Glaw and Vences 2007). It is also found in savanna settings on the central highlands. It can be encountered in disturbed habitats such as eucalyptus forests and villages. It is usually terrestrial and larger specimens are cathemeral whilst juveniles are mostly nocturnal. It is viviparous and litters consist of 6-13 small juveniles. It feeds on wild terrestrial vertebrates as well as domestic poultry.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species appears to withstand forest degradation and no major threats have been identified. It is killed by local people as it is considered bad luck and likely predates domestic chickens.

Major Threat(s):

This species appears to withstand forest degradation and no major threats have been identified. It is killed by local people as it is considered bad luck and likely predates domestic chickens.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is on Appendix I of CITES and all international trade in live animals, or body parts, is prohibited. It has been recorded in most of the protected areas within its range. More information on its ecology in the wild is needed, in addition to a taxonomic assessment of populations in the southeast and north.

Conservation Actions:

This species is on Appendix I of CITES and all international trade in live animals, or body parts, is prohibited. It has been recorded in most of the protected areas within its range. More information on its ecology in the wild is needed, in addition to a taxonomic assessment of populations in the southeast and north.

Citation:	Raxworthy, C.J., Ramanamanjato, J.-B. & Randriamahazo, H. 2011. Acrantophis dumerili. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2013.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided