Macroprotodon cucullatus is a recognized species complex (Carranza et al. 2004, Geniez 2018), whose members are difficult to distinguish morphologically (Geniez 2018). This author describes the systematics of this group as "controversial and still under discussion".

Populations of northern Algeria and Tunisia (and the introduced populations of Mallorca and Menorca) are recognized by some authors as the distinct species Macroprotodon mauritanicus (V. Pérez Mellado pers. comm. - Geniez 2018). Recent genetic data suggests that, if it is specifically distinct from M. cucullatus, M. mauritanicus is at least very close to it genetically, however Geniez (2018) cautions that this is based on research that only included one sequence referred to M. cucullatus.

Pending resolution of the systematics of this group, M. mauritanicus and M. cucullatus are treated here as conspecific, though the two species are both currently recognised as valid by The Reptile Database (Uetz et al. 2021).

European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)
EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)

The species is assessed as Data Deficient on the basis that the only putatively native population of this species in Europe is from an island in Italian territory where it is believed that it may be in decline, but nothing is known with certainty of its status or whether it is genuinely native on this island.

Within Europe, this species is present on the island of Lampedusa (Italy), where it possibly occurs as a result of introduction, and on Menorca and Majorca (Spain), to which the species is believed to have been introduced by the Romans (probably around 200 B.C.). It is consequently regarded as an introduced species in the European region by Speybroeck et al. (2020). It occurs up to 800 m on Mallorca (Pleguezuelos and Vasconcelos 2015).

This species ranges through northern Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt to southern Israel, with quite isolated subpopulations in southern Algeria (Hoggar Mountains) and Western Sahara. It is mainly a lowland species.

The Lampedusa subpopulation seems to be in decline. The snake is moderately abundant in Mallorca and Menorca (Vlada et al. 2006), although declines have been reported (summarised by Pleguezuelos and Vasconcelos 2015).

This is a partially fossorial snake and is dependent on relatively soft soils in which it can burrow (Pleguezuelos and Vasconcelos 2015). It is typically found in areas of grassland, forest clearings and dehesa agroforestry with numerous stones for shelter and protection from desiccation (Pleguezuelos and Vasconcelos 2015). It is commonly found at the edge of waterbodies (Pleguezuelos and Vasconcelos 2015). On Mallorca, animals occur in garrigue Mediterranean shrubland, open pine forests, farms, pasture and urban gardens, and shelter within stone walls, and on Menorca it can be common in open areas near urban centres (Pleguezuelos and Vasconcelos 2015). The females lay two to six eggs and breed every two years.

This species may be locally impacted by habitat degradation, including changes in agricultural practices (general intensification). Habitat degradation on the island of Lampedusa is a major threat, as is the expansion of tourism and accidental mortality on roads, and the same seems to be the case in the Balearic Islands (J.M. Pleguezuelos pers. comm. October 2008).

This species has been collected for the international pet trade in Egypt, but any collection for this use in the European region requires confirmation.

The species is present in a few protected areas. On Lampedusa, subpopulations of this species require some protection. Further studies to resolve the taxonomy of this species are needed.