The species displays strong territorial behavior. P. h. hasselquistii is equally common, although it was only observed after sunset. It was seen in the same microhabitats used by P. ragazzii, but was also often found walking on the ground. In contrast, further north (e.g., at Bir Abraq) where P. ragazzii does not occur, P. hasselquistii is commonly found active during the day in the shade of boulders and under ledges. Generally similar temporal partitioning seems to occur where the ranges of P.hasselquistii and P.guttatus overlap. Here the former species reverts to mainly nocturnal activity.
Least Concern
Large robust animals. Maximum SVL 96 mm. Head wide and relatively high; snout rather short and broad; rostral, 3 nasals and the first supralabial enter the nostril. Limbs thick, with relatively short and thick digits and broad terminal pads, each with an average of 20 lamellae below. There are 104-145 scales at mid-body. Tail slender, longer than SVL. Dorsal tubercles with weak multiple keels. Color dark gray with a series of darker brownish blotches of varying intensity on dorsum. Tail barred. Venter off-white.
The distribution of P. ragazzii in Egypt appears to be restricted to the relatively mesic environment of Gebel Elba (Baha El Din 1999b).The reference of Smith et al. (1998) to 4 P. ragazzii specimens from the vicinity of Wadi Haifa, Sudan is probably erroneous. All material examined by the author from this region is referable to either P. h. hasselquistii or P. siphonorhina.
Sahelian species extending across Africa from Senegal to Somalia, north into the Algerian Sahara. Found in most of the southern and central Saharan mountain ranges: Hoggar, Air, Tibesti, Tassili, Ennedi, and Darfur, but apparently absent from Gebel Uweina.
On Gebel Elba P.ragazzii is commonly seen during the day on large boulders and under rock ledges on the sides of wadis and hillsides. It occurs in fairly high densities in suitable localities.
Locally common
