CR

Pulau Tioman Ground Snake

Gongylosoma mukutense

Unknown

Overview

Gongylosoma mukutense, the Mukut smooth snake or Pulau Tioman ground snake, is a species of snake of the superfamily Colubroidea.

Gongylosoma mukutense faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat conversion in its extremely limited range on Mount Kinabalu, Sabah. The species' restriction to specific elevational zones makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, as warming temperatures may force populations beyond suitable habitat limits. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the region pose additional pressures on the remaining forest fragments where this snake occurs.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species is endemic to the montane forests of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, occurring at specific elevational ranges within primary and secondary forest habitats. It appears to be restricted to areas with dense canopy cover and specific microclimate conditions typical of Bornean mountain ecosystems.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in COLUBRIDAE

Bourret's Cat SnakeEN

Bourret's Cat Snake

Boiga bourreti

Unknown
VU

Cave Racer

Elaphe taeniura

Declining
EN

Oligodon calamarius

Declining
EN

Sumba Ground Snake

Stegonotus sutteri

Unknown

Threatened in Malaysia

Acropora hemprichiiEN

Acropora hemprichii

Declining
VU

Podocarpus ridleyi

Declining
EN

Benstonea saint-johnii

Unknown
VU

Hopea coriacea

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pulau Tioman Ground Snake classified as Critically Endangered?
Pulau Tioman Ground Snake 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. Gongylosoma mukutense faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat conversion in its extremely limited range on Mount Kinabalu, Sabah. The species' restriction to specific elevational zones makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, as warming temperatures may force populations beyond suitable habitat limits. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the region pose additional pressures on the remaining forest fragments where this snake occurs.
Where does Pulau Tioman Ground Snake live?
Pulau Tioman Ground Snake occurs in Malaysia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pulau Tioman Ground Snake?
The main threats to Pulau Tioman Ground Snake are 1.1, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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