Daboia deserti

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	VIPERIDAE

Scientific Name:

Daboia deserti

Species Authority:

(Anderson, 1892)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Desert Viper
French	–	Vipere Du Desert

Synonym/s:

Macrovipera deserti (Anderson, 1892)

Vipera lebetina subspecies deserti Anderson, 1892

Taxonomic Notes:

This species is included in Daboia following Lenk et al. (2001). It is uncertain that Daboia deserti and D. mauritanica are separate species.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Near Threatened ver 3.1
Year Published:	2006
Assessor/s:	Miras, J.A.M., Joger, U., Pleguezuelos, J. & Slimani, T.
Reviewer/s:	Stuart, S.N. & Cox, N. (Global Reptile Assessment)
Contributor/s:
Justification: Listed as Near Threatened because its extent of occurrence is probably not much greater than 20,000 km², and its population is probably declining due to over-harvesting and persecution, thus making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This North African species ranges in a narrow band from northwestern Algeria, through central Tunisia to northwestern Libya. The distribution is incompletely known and the species may also occur in Morocco. It is found up to 700 m asl.
Countries:	Native: Algeria; Libya; Tunisia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It is a rare species that is not known to be common in its range.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is generally found on rocky slopes with sparse vegetation. It can also be found in semi-desert, steppe and caves. The female lays up to 20 eggs.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There is major international trade in this species for medicinal use (both traditional and international). It is directly persecuted in parts of its range and is commonly used by venom researchers and snake charmers.

Major Threat(s):

There is major international trade in this species for medicinal use (both traditional and international). It is directly persecuted in parts of its range and is commonly used by venom researchers and snake charmers.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	It exists in national parks in Tunisia (e.g., Buhedma National Park).

Conservation Actions:

It exists in national parks in Tunisia (e.g., Buhedma National Park).

Citation:	Miras, J.A.M., Joger, U., Pleguezuelos, J. & Slimani, T. 2006. Daboia deserti. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 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