IUCN Red List Category: DD (Draft)
Animalia | Chordata | Vertebrata | Reptilia | Squamata | Serpentes | Typhlopidae | Afrotyphlops | Afrotyphlops blanfordii |
Taxonomic notes: According to McDiarmid et al. (1999), this is possibly a synonym and maybe a subspecies of Afrotyphlops lineolatus (Jan, 1864); however Largen and Spawls (2010) have treated it as a valid species..
This species is endemic to the highlands of Eritrea and northern and central Ethiopia (Broadley and Wallach 2009). This species has been found between 1,000 and 2,450 m above sea level (Broadley and Wallach 2009).
This burrowing species is associated with both moist and dry grassland, but can also be found in xerophilous woodland and scrub (Largen and Spawls 2010).
There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for this species. Further research into the taxonomy, distribution, population, biology and ecology, habitat status, and threats to this species should be carried out. It is not known if it occurs in any protected areas.
Afrotyphlops blanfordii has been assessed as Data Deficient. This is due to the taxonomic uncertainty surrounding the species, and the lack of population, habitat and distribution data available. Further research is therefore needed before a more accurate assessment of the conservation status of A. blanfordii can be carried out.
Also from the distribution pattern it could be a synonym of lineolatus, which would make the distribution of the latter continuous to the Red Sea