Cat snake: Red Data Book of Armenia

Colubrids — Colubridae

Status. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Least Concern. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii).

Distribution. Northern Iran, Iraq, eastern part of Asia Minor, Northern Syria, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia. The range extends also over the Balkan Peninsula, some Aegian and Mediterranean islands, Lebanon and Israel.

Distribution in Armenia. Recorded in the country’s south within the Arax basin.

Habitats. Quite frequently recorded on stony slopes covered with scrubs and herbage, arid grasslands, juniper sparse forests, orchards and vineyards. Also occurs in open wormwood and achillean semi–deserts. Does not avoid human presence and is common on roofs, stone walls and in crevices. Uses rock cracks, hollow spaces among stones and burrows of digging animals as shelters. Spread up to 2000 m above sea level.

Biological traits. The hibernation period ends in early to mid–March and begins in late September to October. Easily crawls over trees and walls. Most of its time spends beneath the stones. Feeds mainly on lizards and, seldom, rodents. Information on reproduction in Armenia is lacking. Elsewhere, the female lays 6–9 eggs in late June to early July. Hatchlings emerge in September.

Population size and its trends. Abundance is low throughout the range in the country. In spring, in Khosrov Forest Reserve a daily survey may yield the records of 1–2 individuals. In other areas the snake records are occasional.

Major threats. Poaching and habitat encroachment.

Conservation measures. Protected in Khosrov Forest Reserve and Arevik National Park. It is essential to grant protection to isolated populations living in Northern Armenia, set them aside as sanctuaries and to promote stringent control over poaching.