Acrantophis madagascariensis
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
REPTILIA |
SQUAMATA |
BOIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Acrantophis madagascariensis |
| Species Authority: |
(Duméril & Bibron, 1844) |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Madagascar Boa, Malagasy Ground Boa |
| French |
– |
Boa de Madagascar, Boa des savanes de Madagascar |
| Spanish |
– |
Boa de Madagascar meridional |
|
| Synonym/s: |
Pelophilus madagascariensis Duméril & Bibron, 1844
|
Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Least Concern
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2011 |
| Assessor/s: |
Raxworthy, C.J., Randriamahazo, H., Rakotondrazafy, N.A. & Rakotondravony, H. |
| Reviewer/s: |
Cox, N.A. & Bowles, P. |
| Contributor/s: |
|
Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category
|
| 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
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| Range Description: |
The Malagasy Ground Boa is endemic to Madagascar where it known from a number of localities in the north and west of the island between sea level and 800 m (Vences and Glaw 2003, Glaw and Vences 2007). It occurs from Antsiranana in the north to Mahajunga on the west coast and to Tampolo on the east coast, with possible records as far south as Kirindy near Morondava. The snake's extent of occurrence is estimated to be 127,743 km². |
| Countries: |
|
| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population
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| Population: |
This species is relatively common in northern Madagascar (Glaw and Vences 2007).
|
| Population Trend: |
Stable
|
Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
This species inhabits intact and disturbed humid and dry forest at mainly low to mid-elevations (Glaw and Vences 2007). It is present in disturbed habitats, including arable areas around villages. It is usually terrestrial and larger specimens are cathemeral whilst juveniles are mostly nocturnal. It is viviparous and litters consist of 2-6 large juveniles. It feeds on rodents, bats (Pteropus rufus), tenrecs (Echinops telfari), lemurs (e.g. Eulemur fulvus, Propithecus coquereli) and ducks.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
There appear to be no major threats to this species at present. This species may be threatened locally by the demand for snake-skin products and snake bushmeat but there is currently insufficient information available to assess these threats. It is killed by local people as it is considered bad luck and likely predates domestic chickens.
|
Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
This species is on Appendix I of CITES and all international trade in live animals, or body parts, is prohibited; more information on domestic use is necessary to assess whether this represents a threat. It is has been recorded from most of the protected areas within its range and its habitats are therefore well conserved, although its distributional extent and population trends should be clarified, especially in areas where hybridization is possible with Dumeril's Ground Boa.
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