VU

Alcatrazes Lancehead

Bothrops alcatraz

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Bothrops alcatraz faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on Alcatrazes Island off the Brazilian coast. The species is vulnerable to habitat degradation from invasive plant species and potential human disturbance from research activities. Its small population size makes it particularly susceptible to stochastic events, while climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns affecting the island's ecosystem.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic pit viper inhabits the rocky coastal vegetation and forest remnants of Alcatrazes Island, a small 1.35 km² island approximately 35 kilometers off the coast of São Paulo state, Brazil. The species occupies various microhabitats within the island's Atlantic Forest fragments and coastal scrubland.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Species managementSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservationAwareness & communications

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Alcatrazes Lancehead classified as Vulnerable?
Alcatrazes Lancehead is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Bothrops alcatraz faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on Alcatrazes Island off the Brazilian coast. The species is vulnerable to habitat degradation from invasive plant species and potential human disturbance from research activities. Its small population size makes it particularly susceptible to stochastic events, while climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns affecting the island's ecosystem.
Where does Alcatrazes Lancehead live?
Alcatrazes Lancehead occurs in Brazil. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Alcatrazes Lancehead?
The main threats to Alcatrazes Lancehead are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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