Ablepharus rueppellii, or Rüppell's Snake-eyed Skink is a species of skink

Skink

Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae. Together with several other lizard families, including Lacertidae , they comprise the superfamily or infraorder Scincomorpha...

 found in the Middle East

Middle East

The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...

. It was formerly considered a subspecies of Ablepharus kitaibelii

Ablepharus kitaibelii

Ablepharus kitaibelii, the European copper skink, Juniper skink or European Snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizards from the skink family ....

, but has since been distinguished. It is possible that what is currently recognized as this species is actually two distinct species.

Range

It is found throughout north and central Israel, western Jordan, and the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. There has also been one unconfirmed sighting in southern Lebanon. It is also possible that it lives in Syria, though this is also unconfirmed. In the areas where it can be found, it is generally uncommon. It is found in the leaf litter of forested or shrubby areas, and in Egypt it is usually found near oases. It is highly localized in densely vegetated areas.

In Israel the species is common and can be found in cities. It is one of the few reptiles capable of living in areas afforested

Afforestation

Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no forest. Reforestation is the reestablishment of forest cover, either naturally or artificially...

 with Aleppo pine

Aleppo Pine

Pinus halepensis, commonly known as the Aleppo Pine, is a pine native to the Mediterranean region. Their range extends from Morocco and Spain north to southern France, Italy and Croatia, and east to Greece and northern Tunisia, and Libya, with an outlying population in Syria, Lebanon, southern...

 (These are very widespread in Israel).

Possible Threats

There are few threats to the species as a whole, though deforestation

Deforestation

Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....

and loss of traditionally farmed orchards may affect specific populations. The species is protected by legislation in Israel.