CR

Ornate Shovel-snout

Prosymna ornatissima

Unknown

Overview

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

Prosymna ornatissima faces severe threats from rapid urban expansion and agricultural conversion throughout its limited South African range. The species' specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to fragmentation, as remaining populations become isolated in small patches of suitable terrain. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further reduced available habitat, while the snake's secretive nature and specific prey requirements limit its ability to adapt to modified landscapes.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits rocky outcrops, grasslands, and scrubland areas in South Africa's interior regions. It shows a preference for areas with loose soil and rock crevices that provide shelter and hunting opportunities for its specialized diet of reptile eggs.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in PROSYMNIDAE

EN

Banded Shovel-snout

Prosymna semifasciata

Unknown

Threatened in Tanzania

Curlew SandpiperVU

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
EN

Ipomoea zanzibarica

Unknown
EN

Pteris mkomaziensis

Unknown
EN

Meineckia stipularis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Ornate Shovel-snout classified as Critically Endangered?
Ornate Shovel-snout is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Prosymna ornatissima faces severe threats from rapid urban expansion and agricultural conversion throughout its limited South African range. The species' specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to fragmentation, as remaining populations become isolated in small patches of suitable terrain. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further reduced available habitat, while the snake's secretive nature and specific prey requirements limit its ability to adapt to modified landscapes.
Where does Ornate Shovel-snout live?
Ornate Shovel-snout occurs in Tanzania. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Ornate Shovel-snout?
The main threats to Ornate Shovel-snout are 2.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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