Least Concern
A small slender lizard. Largest Egyptian specimen has a SVL of 40 mm. Tail proportionately relatively short, average tail/SVL ratio = 2 (n=10) Supraciliaries separated from supraoculars by small granules; tympanum partly covered by an oval tympanic shield; supratemporals large distinct from other temporals; occipital present, usually large and in contact with interparietal. Dorsals large (19-24) imbricate, strongly keeled; 6 ventrals; 7-9 femoral pores (based on 17 Egyptian specimens). Dorsal parts gray-brown; pattern striated, composed of 4 dark and light stripes; color and pattern loses intensity and contrast on the posterior of back; limbs with dark marbling; venter grayish-white.
Northwest Egypt along the Mediterranean coast, from Alexandria to the border with Libya. Does not penetrate more than 10 km inland anywhere in its Egyptian range. The record of two Ophisops specimens collected from Zaafarana, Wadi Araba, by Marx (1968), is almost certainly erroneous. Firstly the habitat at Zaafarana (salt marsh) is not suitable and is far too arid for the species. Extensive searches in this region failed to locate the species or any remotely appropriate habitat. Secondly there is a discrepancy in the field notes of the collector (Harry Hoogstraal) of the two relevant specimens; these state that the specimens were collected on 23 April 1964 from "Ras Gharib, Wadi Araba."These two places are on the Gulf of Suez but are widely separated. Furthermore, FMNH 152663 is an O. occidentalis collected from near Marsa Matruh on 24 March 1964, alluding to the probability that these specimens were mislabeled and that they actually came from the western Mediterranean coast. The two specimens are identical in all respects to others from the rest of the Egyptian range. Saleh (1997) does not provide explanation for his inclusion of the northern Delta within the distribution of Ophisops in Egypt. The occurrence of any Ophisops species in this region is extremely unlikely due to the lack of any suitable rupicolous habitat.
Northeast Morocco, northern Algeria, Tunisia, northern Libya, and northwest Egypt.
Confined to a very narrow habitat along lightly vegetated calcareous ridges extending parallel to the Mediterranean coast. Found on rocky ground, particularly on hillsides, among stones and shrubs.
Uncommon and localized. In Egypt it is highly threatened by uncontrollable coastal development and quarrying, which has completely destroyed almost the species' entire habitat east of El Daba. Overgrazing and other habitat degradation is reducing the suitability of the remainder of its habitat in Egypt. In Egypt Near Threatened.
Ophisops occidentalis, the western snake-eyed lizard is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is found in Algeria, Egypt,[2] Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. Its natural habitats are temperate forest, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, and rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Ophisops occidentalis, the western snake-eyed lizard is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is found in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. Its natural habitats are temperate forest, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, and rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss.
