The species is endemic to the island of Cyprus. It is assessed as Near Threatened (NT B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) because, whilst its extent of occurrence is less than 5,000 km² and its area of occupancy is less than 500 km², it occurs in more than 10 locations based on the broadly localised threats presented by the suspected threats of pesticide pollution, forestry activities, and road mortality. However, there is a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat (potentially primarily as a result of pesticide pollution).

This species is endemic to Cyprus (Schätti 1985, Utiger and Schätti 2004), where it is restricted to forested areas of the Troodos Massif, within which it is widespread, with a small number of records from the foothills (Baier et al. 2014). Using distribution modelling, Baier et al. (2014) suggested that suitable conditions are restricted to the Troodos Massif, and that it is likely to be genuinely absent from other parts of the island rather than under-sampled in surveys; if any subpopulations do occur in the Kyrenia Range, the lower predicted habitat suitability in this area suggests they are likely to be small and may not be viable (Baier et al. 2014). A record mapped by Baier et al. (2013) in a lowland area in the south of the island is not mentioned by Baier et al. (2014) and is presumed here to represent a misidentification. It ranges from 50 to 1,800 m asl (Zotos et al. in review), with most records having been taken at 700-800 m (Baier et al. 2014). Reports from higher elevations have not been confirmed with GPS readings (Baier et al. 2014).

Although widespread, the species is not common (S. Zotos pers. comm. October 2022). Baier et al. (2013) report an "impression" that the species is becoming "increasingly endangered", and a declining population trend is suspected.

No detailed study of its population has been conducted to date (S. Zotos pers. comm. October 2022). Most of the localities reported were opportunistic findings (one or two individuals) and not a result of systematic monitoring.

This snake can be found in humid areas with dense bushes or within forests. Many records appear to be concentrated along stream valleys (Baier et al. 2014). These authors hypothesise that the species is particularly reliant on streams as a buffer against Cyprus' arid habitat and that the scarcity of suitable streams in the Kyrenia Range explains the predicted low suitability of this area for the snake. "Unusual" habitat records exist from grassland along the road from Lageia to Choirokoitia (Baier et al. 2014) to extreme arid habitat with low phrygana vegetation and sporadic pine trees near Pentakomo (S. Zotos pers. comm. October 2022). Both observations and distribution modelling suggest that it is primarily associated with cool, more humid microhabitats in forested areas, generally from 400-800 m asl (Baier et al. 2014). Mean precipitation of the driest quarter and actual evapotranspiration together contributed most to these authors' Maxent model. The snake feeds on small prey such as lizards, amphibians, insects and sometimes small snakes, and may be found close to dams and similar areas where prey are often more abundant. Although it is believed to be oviparous, little is known of its reproductive biology (Baier et al. 2013).

The species is generally threatened by persecution by local people and tourists, and through ongoing logging of forest habitat in the Troodos Mountains. Road construction to facilitate tourism is highlighted as a threat by Baier et al. (2013), who considered the species to be particularly vulnerable as it is attracted to open roadsides and asphalt surfaces for foraging and so is increasingly exposed to road mortality. This was however a general inference from the behaviour of snakes in Cyprus, and there is no corroborating evidence from a database of roadkill data maintained for this island as only 14 specimens have been recorded as roadkills as of the time of this assessment (ww.cyroadkills.org, accessed November 2022).

The spraying of pesticides to control mosquitoes and other insects by government authorities may increase water pollution (P. Lymberakis pers. comm. October 2022), although any impacts on this species are unknown.

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

The species is listed in Annex II and IV of the EU Habitats Directive, and in Annex II (as well as the Revised Annex I of Resolution 6, 1998) of the Bern Convention (as Coluber cypriensis) (EEA 2022).

Much of this species' range is within State Forests and Natura 2000 sites. Thirteen Natura 2000 sites mention this species in their designations. For example, the Dasos Pafou Habitats Directive Site (SiteCode: CY2000016), the "Dasos Pafou" Birds Directive Site SPA (SiteCode: CY2000006), and the "Ethniko Dasiko Parko Troodous" Habitats Directive Site (SiteCode: CY5000004). The extent to which these effectively protect the species is unknown as its ecological requirements remain unclear and no reproductive sites have been identified.

Although some conservation measures were implemented as part of a LIFE project ("Improving the conservation status of fauna species in Cyprus: from microhabitat restoration to landscape connectivity", ICOSTACY, LIFE09 NAT/CY/00247), their success and the impact on the species has not been not yet evaluated, and an effort to develop a monitoring programme as part of the 2005-2007 LIFE project ("Conservation management in Natura 2000 sites of Cyprus", COMANACY, LIFE04 NAT/CY/000013) was unsuccessful in obtaining information on the population status of this snake.

There are several educational activities targeting this species through various NGOs on the island. The Herpetological Society of Cyprus is developing a snake park, to open in 2023, that will focus on public education. In an effort to assist the conservation of this species, the landscape connectivity in the region of Troodos Massif for the distribution of the species was evaluated using Least Cost Path Analysis (Erotokritou and Vogiatzakis 2019).

More information is needed to understand the scale and impact of pesticide use in Cyprus. An EU COST project ("PEsticide RIsk AssessMent for Amphibians and Reptiles"; PERIAMAR) to evaluate the impact of pesticide use on herpetofauna across the EU may provide useful data on the impacts in this region.