Despite the fear they put in many people, snakes are actually under threat in their own natural environment.
Due to the pressures caused by invasive species and the gradual destruction of their habitats, it’s no wonder that there are a number of snakes that are threatened with extinction.
As here are the top 10 rarest snakes in the world.
10. Wagner’s Viper
Vipera wagneriis a venomous viper found in northwest Iran and eastern Turkey.
This snake lives at altitudes of over 1,500 meters and prefers rocky or grassy areas.
In 2008, the status of the Wagner’s viper was changed to critically endangered as it was feared that the planned construction of a dam within its limited habitat range would devastate the viper’s population.
9. Alcatrazes Lancehead
This snake, whose scientific name is Bothrops alcatraz, is a critically endangered viper that lives on a small island off the southeastern coast of Brazil.
This snake derives its name from the island that it lives on, Ilha de Alcatrazes, a tiny rock of only 1.35 square kilometers that forms part of the Alcatrazes archipelago.
8. Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake
The Santa Catalina Island rattlesnake is a small, slender pit viper found only on the island of Santa Catalina in the Gulf of California.
This rattlesnake is unique because of its lack of a functioning rattle.
It is believed that this rattlesnake lost its rattle in an attempt to better adapt to its environment, allowing it to silently sneak up on birds in desert brush.
7. Antiguan Racer
Formerly the world’s rarest snake, Alsophis antiguae has made something of a comeback due to concerted conservation efforts.
The Antiguan racer is located on a few small islands just off the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
The Antiguan racer was previously living on the main island of Antigua, but was wiped out after the introduction of the mongoose and black rat.
6. Darevsky’s Viper
Vipera darevskii is a venomous viper which can only be found in northwestern Armenia and northeastern Turkey.
Due to the destruction of its natural habitat from overgrazing by domestic animals, the numbers of Darevsky’s vipers are on the decline.
At last count there were only about 500 individuals left in the wild, placing this snake on the brink of extinction.
5. Short-Nosed Sea Snake
The Sahul reef snake, otherwise known as the short-nosed sea snake, is a critically endangered sea snake whose habitat is mostly contained in a small area off the coast of North Western Australia.
The Sahul reef snake prefers sandy areas with sparse coral and can live up to 10 years in the wild.
It has so far only been found within the area of two reefs—Ashmore and Hibernia.
4. Round Island Boa
Casarea dussumieri, otherwise known as the Round Island keel-scaled boa, is found only on Round Island, Mauritius.
Adults can reach up to 1.5 meters (5 ft) in length. They’re dark brown on their upper side, and their bellies are lighter with a smattering of dark spots.
3. Aruba Island Rattlesnake
The Aruba Island rattlesnake is a critically endangered rattlesnake that is endemic to the Caribbean island of Aruba, located just off the coast of Venezuela.
The snakes usually have a uniform gray or light brown body color, although they sometimes have diamond-shaped markings on their backs.
2. Orlov’s Viper
Vipera orlovi is native to the Black Sea region of Russia, where it is endemic to the Caucasus region.
It was only in 2001 that Orlov’s viper was separated as a distinct species from the closely related Caucasian viper.
This snake has a triangular head and long, venomous fangs which are folded against the roof of the mouth when not in use.
1. St. Lucia Racer Snake
Recently proclaimed the rarest snake in the world, the St. Lucia racer is located on a tiny island just off the coast of St. Lucia, a tropical Caribbean island.
While these snakes once existed on St. Lucia, they were eradicated when invasive predators such as the mongoose and black rat were introduced to the island, killing these small snakes and poaching their eggs.
(source: listverse )
