Cyprus Whip Snake
EN

Cyprus Whip Snake

Hierophis cypriensis

UnknownENEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_whip_snake

Overview

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

The Cyprus whip snake faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range on Cyprus. Road mortality poses a significant threat as snakes cross roads between fragmented habitat patches. Introduced predators and competitors, along with direct persecution by humans who fear snakes, further compound population pressures on this endemic species.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Cyprus snake inhabits Mediterranean scrubland, pine forests, olive groves, and rocky hillsides with scattered vegetation. It prefers areas with stone walls, rock crevices, and dense shrubs that provide shelter and hunting opportunities for small mammals and lizards.

Other threatened species in Colubridae

Mcnamara's Burrowing SnakeVU

Mcnamara's Burrowing Snake

Pseudorabdion mcnamarae

Unknown
Mountain SipoVU

Mountain Sipo

Chironius monticola

Unknown
Philippine Keel-bellied Whip SnakeVU

Philippine Keel-bellied Whip Snake

Dryophiops philippina

Unknown
VU

Taeniophallus poecilopogon

Unknown

Threatened in Cyprus

VU

Gollumia torumbilicata

Unknown
Blind SnailVU

Blind Snail

Cecilioides acicula

Unknown
CR

Andrena chaetogastra

Unknown
VU

Giant Noctule

Nyctalus lasiopterus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cyprus Whip Snake classified as Endangered?
Cyprus Whip Snake is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Cyprus whip snake faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range on Cyprus. Road mortality poses a significant threat as snakes cross roads between fragmented habitat patches. Introduced predators and competitors, along with direct persecution by humans who fear snakes, further compound population pressures on this endemic species.
Where does Cyprus Whip Snake live?
Cyprus Whip Snake occurs in Cyprus. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Cyprus Whip Snake?
The main threats to Cyprus Whip Snake 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.