Bitis albanica | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Krystal Tolley

Sensitive in 2010

Yes

Family

Viperidae

Reason for the sensitivity status

Species of this genus are known to be popular in pet trade. As this species has a vulnerable population size, any removal of individuals from the wild could have an impact on the population. Along with habitat fragmentation and rarity, were exploitation to occur, recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species can exacerbate threat and vulnerability.

This species is either similar to or belongs to a group containing sensitive species, and is extremely rare in the wild. The localities of wild populations need to be protected to avoid loss to exploitation, which, due to its rarity, could drive the species to extinction within a very short time.

Exploitation extent

Uncertain - No data exists yet showing that this species is exploited in the wild, however it has one or more relatives or look-alike species (found in South Africa or globally) that are known to be utilised. This species has a similar life form or other relevant traits to its exploited relative(s), making it highly likely that it would be exploited for the same purposes.

Justification and references

This species is Endangered on IUCN (2018), but is not listed under CITES, although species in this genus are popular in pet trade (Martiz et al. In press, Branch and Turner 2014, 2017). It is also listed on the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) list under National Biodiversity Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004), whereby it may not be removed from the wild for any activity, unless specifically permitted under TOPS. Lack of a database on TOPS collections hampers providing quantitative information for this assessment. It is an extremely rare species, so at present there is unlikely to be heavy trade simply because few individuals are found. However, because of its' rarity, any removals from the wild could have a significant impact on the population.

MF Bates, WR Branch, AM Bauer, M Burger, J Marais, GJ Alexander, MS de Villiers (eds), Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Branch WR & Turner AA. 2017. Bitis albanica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22473767A110343818. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22473767A110343818.en. Downloaded on 12 January 2018.

Maritz B, Branch WR, Turner AA. In press. Bitis albanica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018.

Population vulnerability

Population is vulnerable: size is <= 2500 mature individuals OR the number of known subpopulations is <= 5 OR range is <= 100km² OR species at risk of localised extinctions

Justification and references

There is one subpopulation of this species, and the species is rare (Martiz et al. In press, Branch & Turner 2014, 2017). No population size estimates are available but the population is likely to be small.

Maritz B, Branch WR. Turner AA. In press. Bitis albanica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Branch WR, Turner AA. 2014. Bitis albanica (Smith, 1839). In MF Bates, WR Branch, AM Bauer, M Burger, J Marais, GJ Alexander, MS de Villiers (eds), Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Targeted demographics

Unknown.

Regeneration potential

This species has a slow population growth rate, or the growth rate varies depending on habitat, and there is a poor chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation OR a collector might feasibly harvest the entire extant population removing the chance of subsequent recruitment.

Justification and references

The habitat is highly fragmented and the species is rare (Maritz et al. In press, Branch & Turner 2014, 2017), so the potential for recolonisation and recovery would be low.

Maritz B, Branch WR. Turner AA. In press. Bitis albanica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Reference file

Branch & Turner 2017_Bitis albanica.pdf1000.28 KB

Internet gives rise to reptile poaching.pdf1.39 MB

The extinction business - South Africa’s cold-blooded reptile trade - Africa Geographic.pdf1.47 MB

Unregulated international trade in reptiles threatens S.._.pdf323.19 KB

Poachers are decimating SA’s reptiles - but does anyone care_.pdf318.56 KB