Black–headed rhynchocalamus: Red Data Book of Armenia

Colubrids — Colubridae

Status. One of the rarest and least studied species in the South Caucasus. Only few specimens are known. Listed in the Red Data Book of the former USSR. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU B2ab(i,iii).

Distribution. Asia Minor, Western Iran as the range’s easternmost area, Armenia and Nakhichevan.

Distribution in Armenia. Occurs only in the Arax basin where it is spread over foothills up to 1200 m above sea level.

Habitats. Inhabits only wormwood semi–deserts, arid and very stony slopes with rocky outcrops and arid vegetation, as well as phrygana.

Biological traits. Leads cryptic crepuscular and mainly subterranean life. Biology is almost unexplored.

Population size and its trends. Size of wild population is possibly stable. In the former USSR, only 7 individuals were captured, mostly on urban outskirts and agricultural lands. Until now, 19 individuals were recorded in the South Caucasus, including 17 from Armenia and Nakhichevan.

Major threats. Encroachment of typical habitats.

Conservation measures. Protected in Khosrov Forest Reserve and Arevik National Park. It is essential to grant protection to rhynchocalamus habitats adjoining Khosrov Forest and to incorporate them to the reserve.