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Although snakes often evoke fear in many, they are themselves facing significant risks in their natural environments. The combined effects of invasive species and habitat destruction have led to the endangerment of numerous snake species.
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10. Wagner’s Viper
Vipera wagneri, also known as the ocellated mountain viper, is a venomous species native to the northwest of Iran and eastern Turkey. Found at elevations of over 1,500 meters (5,000 ft), this snake thrives in rocky or grassy terrains. In 2008, it was classified as critically endangered, primarily due to concerns that the construction of a dam in its restricted habitat would severely impact its population.
The viper's numbers have also been dwindling due to the capture of these snakes for the pet trade. It's estimated that fewer than 2,500 adults remain in the wild. The species was named after Moritz Wagner, the German explorer who first collected a specimen in 1846. To help protect these snakes from extinction, the St. Louis Zoo included them in their breeding program, which successfully produced nine hatchlings in August 2013.
9. Alcatrazes Lancehead
The Alcatrazes lancehead, scientifically known as Bothrops alcatraz, is a critically endangered viper native to a small island off the southeastern coast of Brazil. The species takes its name from Ilha de Alcatrazes, a tiny 1.35 square kilometer (0.5 mi) island that is part of the Alcatrazes archipelago. This snake faces a unique threat to its survival: the island is regularly used as a naval target area, which poses risks to both the species and its habitat.
Belonging to the pit viper family, the Alcatrazes lancehead possesses a heat-sensing organ in its head, which aids in locating its prey. Like all pit vipers, it is highly venomous. While the exact population of Alcatrazes lanceheads is unclear, they are said to be relatively common on the island they inhabit.
8. Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake
The Santa Catalina Island rattlesnake, or Crotalus catalinensis, is a small, slender pit viper that is only found on Santa Catalina Island in the Gulf of California. This rattlesnake is distinct due to the absence of a functional rattle, a result of evolutionary adaptation that allows it to silently approach birds in the desert brush.
The population of these snakes is facing significant threats due to the presence of feral cats, which prey upon them. In addition, these relatively passive creatures have become targets for illegal hunting and collection, further endangering their survival. The decline in their primary food source, the deer mouse, also poses a major risk to the species. However, efforts to reduce the number of feral cats on the island through a new program offer hope for the conservation of these rare snakes.
7. Antiguan Racer
Once considered the world's rarest snake, Alsophis antiguae has experienced a resurgence thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. The Antiguan racer now resides on a few small islands off the coast of Antigua and Barbuda. The species was once found on the main island of Antigua but became extinct there after the introduction of the mongoose and black rat. A small population survived on Great Bird Island, a small islet just a few miles from Antigua.
Believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in the early 1990s, the Antiguan racer has rebounded following the successful removal of predatory rats
6. Darevsky’s Viper
Vipera darevskii is a venomous viper native to the northwestern regions of Armenia and northeastern Turkey. The species is named after Ilya Darevsky, who was among the first to identify and document it. Unfortunately, the viper's population is dwindling due to habitat destruction caused by overgrazing by domestic animals. The most recent estimate puts the number of these vipers at only around 500 individuals, pushing the species to the verge of extinction.
Furthermore, its habitat is highly fragmented, with small groups of these snakes scattered across a large area. The diet of Darevsky’s viper primarily consists of lizards, rodents, and occasionally insects. It inhabits high-altitude mountain ridges and typically spends part of its day basking in the Sun to absorb enough warmth for daytime activity. These vipers exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females being significantly larger than males.
5. Short-Nosed Sea Snake
The Sahul reef snake, also known as the short-nosed sea snake, is a critically endangered species found predominantly in a small region off the northwestern coast of Australia. Its scientific name is Aipysurus apraefrontalis, which refers to its distinctively small head and short, pointed snout. Preferring sandy areas with minimal coral, this snake can live for up to 10 years in the wild. It is currently known to exist only around two reefs—Ashmore and Hibernia.
Once relatively abundant until the 1990s, the short-nosed sea snake has seen its population sharply decline, with no sightings recorded since 2000. While the exact cause of this disappearance remains unclear, it is suspected that severe coral bleaching and degradation may have played a significant role in the snake’s decline.
READ MORE: Top 10 Most Venomous Snakes
4. Round Island Boa
Casarea dussumieri, commonly known as the Round Island keel-scaled boa, is native only to Round Island, Mauritius. Adults of this species can grow up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) long. They have a dark brown upper body with a lighter belly, adorned with dark spots. Their name is derived from the small keeled scales that cover their body. Recently, the species has been successfully reintroduced to Gunner’s Quoin, another island. Although fewer than 250 mature individuals remained in 1996, their population has now grown to around 1,000, thanks to the removal of invasive species like goats and rabbits and the restoration of much of their native habitat.
These boas are part of a breeding program aimed at securing their future. They can lay up to 12 eggs at once, with an incubation period typically lasting about 90 days.
3. St. Lucia Racer Snake
The St. Lucia racer, recently named the rarest snake in the world, inhabits a tiny island off the coast of St. Lucia in the Caribbean. Although this species once thrived on St. Lucia itself, it was driven to extinction on the island due to invasive predators like mongooses and black rats, which hunted the snakes and raided their eggs. Officially declared extinct in 1936, the species was rediscovered on Maria Major in 1973, where it survived due to the absence of mongooses.
This non-venomous species typically grows to less than 1 meter (3 feet) in length and has a light brown color, with a distinct brown stripe running from its neck to its tail. A recent survey suggests there are as few as 18 individuals remaining, making the St. Lucian racer one of the rarest animals on Earth. Efforts are currently underway to protect this species from total extinction.
READ MORE: 10 Lesser-Known Venomous Snakes
2. Orlov’s Viper
Vipera orlovi, native to the Black Sea area of Russia, is endemic to the Caucasus region. It wasn’t until 2001 that this species was recognized as separate from the closely related Caucasian viper. Characterized by a triangular head and long, venomous fangs that fold against the roof of the mouth when not in use, Orlov’s viper displays a wide range of colors and patterns, typically brown, gray, or yellow-gray with brown or black zigzag bands.
This snake feeds on various prey, including mice, lizards, frogs, and insects. There are fewer than 250 adult Orlov’s vipers left in the wild, and due to their popularity as pets, they suffer from severe poaching. With less than 100 square kilometers (38 mi) of their natural habitat remaining, the species is now classified as critically endangered.
1. Aruba Island Rattlesnake
The Aruba Island rattlesnake, scientifically known as Crotalus unicolor, is a critically endangered species native to the Caribbean island of Aruba, just off the coast of Venezuela. Its body is typically a solid gray or light brown, though some specimens feature diamond-shaped markings along their back. These snakes are nocturnal during the hot summer months but become more active during the cooler early mornings and late afternoons.
This rattlesnake is viviparous, meaning it gives birth to live young instead of laying eggs. It can live up to 20 years and feeds mainly on rodents, birds, and lizards. The wild population is critically low, with only about 230 surviving adults, and around 100 more adults in captivity. The snake’s survival is jeopardized by human development, as its habitat is confined to just 25 square kilometers (9.5 mi). Additionally, the introduction of goats has harmed local vegetation, further reducing its already limited habitat.
