Varanus griseus  

Desert monitor

TAXONOMY: This species complex currently includes three distinct populations, V. g. griseus, V. griseus caspius and V. griseus koniecznyi (for distribution data see Auliya & Koch 2020). West Pakistan, Northwest India).

DISTRIBUTION: Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, India, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen (see Auliya & Koch 2020)

RED LIST STATUS: Least Concern (LC) in 2016

CITES: Appendix I

NATIONAL PROTECTION:

THREATS: General. – Increase and intensification of agriculture and livestock farming,  trade for varying purposes (medicine, decor, food, pets, leather), urbanization.

Morocco: Roadkills have been reported on a regular basis.

RESEARCH NEEDS: General. – Assess the impact of the varying threats on local populations; a socio-economic study resulting in awareness programs; reassess the taxonomic status of this species-complex.

Morocco: Field research on the population and conservation status of Morrocan populations are long overdue.

CURRENT PROJECTS: