Albert et al. (2007) reported that animals from the southwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula appear to differ genetically from those elsewhere, and may represent a separate species. They subsequently described this as the new species Blanus mariae and designated a lectotype for B. cinereus. These actions were discussed and rejected by Ceríaco and Bauer (2018), who designated a neotype for B. cinereus, applying this name to the southwestern Iberian clade and synonymising B. mariae within it and describing the eastern and northern population as the new species Blanus vandelli.

Speybroeck et al. (2020) subsequently proposed applying the name Blanus rufus to Ceríaco and Bauer's B. vandelli "until information on the identity of the A. rufa holotype can be obtained". Ceríaco and Bauer (2018) refrained from resurrecting this name on the basis that it is presently impossible to determine whether it belongs to B. vandelli or B. cinereus, and this assessment follows these authors' nomenclature.

This species is endemic to Europe. It is assessed as Least Concern on the basis that this species is widespread on the Iberian Peninsula, appears to be somewhat adaptable, and may not be uncommon.

The species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, where it is known from central Portugal and from central and southeastern Spain (Ceríaco and Bauer 2018). It is replaced by its sister species Blanus cinereus in southwestern Iberia but the two appear to be "almost sympatric" in the Campo Maior region of Portugal and in some areas of the Extremadura and Andalucía in Spain (Ceríaco and Bauer 2018). There has been limited work on Blanus in these areas and further fieldwork combined with genetic sampling is needed to fully understand range limits between the two taxa (Sampaio et al. 2015, Ceriaco and Bauer 2018). It occurs up to 1,800 m asl (Speybroeck et al. 2016, referring to both this species and B. cinereus). Blanus cinereus has been reported from several islands off the coast of Spain and Pessegueiro Island in Portugal (Sillero 2010), but it is unclear to which of the two recognised species these now correspond. There is an introduced population on Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands (J.M. Pleguezuelos pers. comm. 2023).

It is difficult to determine the abundance of this species, but it appears to be most common in areas of sandy and other loose soils. Speybroeck et al. (2016) suggests that this genus is most commonly observed at the southern extent of its range.

This is a fossorial species found in a wide variety of Mediterranean habitats; Speybroeck et al. (2016) mention Mediterranean scrubland, forest and arable land, mostly in northern slopes of the mountain ranges (a previous Red List assessment of B. cinereus, prior to the recognition of B. vandelli, refers to its occurrence in modified habitats as "low-intensity agricultural land" - Pleguezuelos et al. 2009). It is often found in moist, sandy soils in which it can burrow or have a high level of humus (Speybroeck et al. 2016). Most of its life is spent underground and it may aestivate over summer, but it can be encountered on the surface at night, particularly after rain (Speybroeck et al. 2016). The females lay one to two eggs in soil or decaying wood (Speybroeck et al. 2016).

The rapid population increase of a native but invasive mammal, the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), is threatening some subpopulations by predation. Some individuals have been recorded as roadkill.

There is no known use of or trade in this species.

This species occurs in many protected areas (J.M. Pleguezuelos pers. comm. 2022). There are some efforts of wild boar control in parts of the range, but more intensive control measures are required (J.M. Pleguezuelos pers. comm. 2022). Research is needed to clarify its population status (J.M. Pleguezuelos pers. comm. 2022).