Varanus yemenensis
Yemen monitor
DISTRIBUTION: Yemen & Saudi Arabia (see Auliya & Koch 2020); in Saudi Arabia is only confined to the extreme southwest.
RED LIST STATUS: Data Deficient (DD) in 2012
CITES: Appendix II
NATIONAL PROTECTION:
Saudi Arabia: National conservation status: DD
THREATS: In Saudi Arabia, the levels of following threats are considered low, i.e. “destruction of the natural vegetation in the desert”, “agricultural expansion”, “recreational activities and tourism”, and “trade and commercial collection”. V. yemenensis was traded at animal markets in Saudi Arabia (Aloufi et al. 2019).
RESEARCH NEEDS: Already more than 10 years ago, there is a lack of data on the abundance of the species and its habitats utilized; it is also unknown what habitat requirements the species has, in addition to diurnal activity levels and home range size. What are the potential threats that may lead to regional declines of the species, throughout the species’ range?
CURRENT PROJECTS: Currently not known
References referred to:
Aloufi AA, Amr ZS, Abu Baker MA, Hamidan N (2019) Diversity and conservation of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine reptiles and amphibians in Saudi Arabia. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 13: 181–202.
Adult Varanus yemenensis, AWC, Al Batayeh, Sharjah, UAE © Mark O’Shea
Adult Varanus yemenensis, AWC, Al Batayeh, Sharjah, UAE © Mark O’Shea