Reptiles are animals with a very wide distribution. Unfortunately 658 species are in danger of extinction and 368 in critical danger of disappearing[1], according to the most important biodiversity inventory, the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In this Green Ecologist article we will introduce you to several species of reptiles that are in danger of extinction and what degree of responsibility we have as humans in the face of this terrible fact.
Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi)
The blue iguana, also called Cyclura lewisi, it is endemic to the Cayman Islands. Is found in Danger of extinction, but fortunately their communities are increasing. To date there are already 443 adult specimens thanks to the Blue Iguana Recovery Program started in 2002, made up of national and international efforts collaborating together. The population is expected to have stabilized in three generations.
Marsh Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii)
With the scientific name of Glyptemys muhlenbergii, the marsh turtle is endemic to the United States and is critically endangered. In a period of 20 years, the populations of marsh turtles decreased by 50% and, currently, they occur in 85% in private sites, which means that their loss is due to illegal trade.
If you want to know more about how to avoid illegal animal trafficking, do not hesitate to read this article by Ecologist Verde that we recommend.
Tarzan Chameleon (Calumma tarzan)
The chameleon Tarzan, Calumma tarzan, is named after the Disney character and is a species of lizard endemic to Madagascar, specifically from the eastern region of the island called Alaotra-Mangoro. There are only two populations that are being fragmented by deforestation, leaving little hope for genetic reproduction or recombination, which is why it is currently in critical danger of extinction.
If you are interested in the subject, here you can read more about the Causes of deforestation.
Marbled gecko (Oedodera marmorata)
The Oedodera marmorata, it is a gecko that is severely threatened by nickel mining in New Caledonia, a group of islands in Oceania. They are also often caught for sale, especially in foreign markets, despite the fact that it is legally prohibited. It is characterized by having legs, especially when we speak specifically of its fingers, and very large eyes compared to the rest of the body. The head has neither spines nor ridges and is usually flattened.
Nickel is a metal found in minerals such as nickelin and serves as a conductor of electricity and heat. In fact, New Caledonia is one of the world powers that has deposits for the extraction of nickel. If you want to know more about how mineral extraction affects the environment, take a look at this other post.
Crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus)
Endemic to China and Vietnam, the crocodile lizard or, scientifically speaking, Shinisaurus crocodilurus, has been completely extinct from Hunan province, although globally it is found in Danger of extinction. It is a semi-aquatic species, which if not wetted can go into a state of total inactivity even in the face of any stimulus, which makes it an easy prey.
You may also be interested in reading about the Flora and Fauna of China.
Mindo horned anole (Anolis proboscis)
The Anole proboscis It is endemic to the cloud forests of Ecuador and it is difficult to find due to its habits associated with the arboreal canopy. For this, It was believed extinct in 1950, until later some specimens were found. However, there is still not enough information to know the trend of its population, although today it is classified as a species in Danger of extinction. As a curiosity, the tail of this lizard measures more than the whole of its body, in addition to having a pointed nasal appendage that differentiates them from the others.
You can read this other post by Green Ecologist to learn about 17 other endangered animals in Ecuador.
Gray snake (Hemiaspis damelii)
The gray snake, Hemiaspis damelii, lives in Australia and, although it is a relatively common species, its populations are declining and are highly fragmented, so it is currently found in Danger of extinction. This snake is capable of producing venom and has a relatively small size between 50 and 70 centimeters.
If you are curious to know which is the most poisonous snake in the world, do not hesitate to read this post that we recommend.
Image: MeaningsYA
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
The green turtle inhabits the tropical and subtropical belt around the entire planet. It has already become extinct in the Cayman Islands and Mauritius, and it is also estimated that in Israel it has already disappeared. Even so, globally, it is in Danger of extinction. Its main threat begins when it lays the eggs, since, like its meat, it is ingested illegally.
You can read more about other endangered Turtles here.
Ganges gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
Gharials, or Ganges crocodiles, are relatives of crocodiles, but belong to the family of the Gavialidae, where they have very long snouts, adapted to their fish diet. Currently it is another of the reptiles found in critical danger of extinction, mostly in Bangladesh, India and Nepal, but it is extinct in Bhutan, Mynamar and Pakistan. Their populations are increasing thanks to the efforts of multiple sanctuaries and national parks.
Bag turtle (Gopherus flavomarginatus)
This land tortoise is endemic to Mexico and lives in the Chihuahuan desert. Since the Pleistocene, their populations have declined due to climate change, seismic activity that has collapsed their burrows over them, and overexploitation by primitive men. This overhunting has spread to such an extent to this day that the pocket turtle is found in critical danger of extinction.
We leave you this article about 25 other animals in danger of extinction in Mexico that may also interest you.
Other reptiles in danger of extinction
There are many more reptiles in danger of extinction. Therefore, here is a list of 48 other reptiles that are in a state of risk or danger of extinction:
- Tiger chameleon (Archaius tigris).
- Kemp's ridley turtleLepidochelys kempii).
- Ancient Serpent (Alsophis antiguae).
- Strange-nosed chameleonCalumma hafahafa).
- Southern river freshwater turtle (Batagur affinis)
- Awakopaka lizard (Oligosoma awakopaka).
- Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer).
- Shevaroy Mountains Snake (Uropeltis shorttii).
- Southern even-toed geckoAlsophylax laevis).
- Giant Spanish tortoise (Chelonoidis hoodensis).
- Striped Gecko Taom (Dierogekko thomaswhitei).
- Giant snake anole (Anolis roosevelti).
- Giant Softshell Yangtze Tortoise (Rafetus swinhoei).
- Mitchell's water monitor (Varanus mitchelli).
- Galapagos pink iguana (Conolophus marthae).
- Giant lizard of La Gomera (Gallotia bravoana).
- Mona's Iguana (Cyclura stejnegeri).
- Spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides).
- Fiji crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis).
- Bojer lizard (Gongylomorphus bojerii).
- Anegada Island Iguana (Cyclura pinguis).
- Lesser Antilles Iguana (Iguana delicatissima).
- Sierra Negra giant tortoise (Chelonoidis guntheri).
- Yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica).
- Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis).
- Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei).
- Tenerife spotted lizard (Gallotia intermedia).
- Santiago giant tortoise (Chelonoidis darwini).
- Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius).
- Painted freshwater turtle (Batagur borneoensis).
- Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis).
- Slender-nosed crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus).
- Giant Asian tortoise (Manouria emys).
- Round sheepdog (Pholidoscelis atratus).
- Geometric turtle (Psammobates geometricus).
- Borriguero hat (Pholidoscelis corvinus).
- Valhalla lizard (Flexiseps valhallae).
- Mangrove anole (Anolis utilensis).
- Viquez tropical snake (Trimethopon viquezi).
- Eugene anole Anole eugenegrahami
- Gecko Temiah Rock (Cnemaspis temiah).
- Jam anole (Anolis rimarum).
- Peter's Borriguero (Holcosus orcesi).
- TOCorn Island nolis (Anolis villai).
- Barbados thread snake (Tetracheilostoma carlae).
- Hindu kangaroo lizard (Otocryptis beddomii).
- Bornean earless monitor (Lanthanotus borneensis).
- Venomous March Palm Adder (Bothriechis marchi).
Causes of endangered reptiles
Next, we are going to mention some of the main causes why reptiles are in danger of extinction:
- Anthropogenic activity: within these, agriculture leads the destructive techniques that modify, or eliminate, the native ecosystems where they live, be they terrestrial or aquatic. Deforestation for wood and pulp, livestock, mining and aquaculture are other economic sectors that fragment their communities.
- Trade- Many reptiles have brightly colored beauty and distant origins, creating great demand for them as pets. They are usually caught to be traded in foreign markets, which is completely illegal, as many of these endangered reptiles are protected.
- Displacement by invasive speciesThey can range from feral cats to ants.
- Residential, tourist and commercial developments: seeking to meet the demands of a growing world population. This fact has created strong pressures on the quality and quantity of the natural resources on which the group depends. reptilia.
In this video from Ecologist Verde we explain the importance of protecting endangered animals.
If you want to read more articles similar to Reptiles in danger of extinctionWe recommend that you enter our category of Endangered Animals.
References-
IUCN. (2022). Critically endangered and endangered reptiles. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2022-2. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org.
- Burton, F.J. (2012). Cyclura lewisi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T44275A2994409. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T44275A2994409.en
- van Dijk, P.P. (2011). Glyptemys muhlenbergii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T4967A97416755. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T4967A11103317.en
- Jenkins, RKB, Andreone, F., Andriamazava, A., Anjeriniaina, M., Brady, L., Glaw, F., Griffiths, RA, Rabibisoa, N., Rakotomalala, D., Randrianantoandro, JC, Randrianiriana, J ., Randrianizahana, H., Ratsoavina, F. & Robsomanitrandrasana, E. (2011). Calumma tarzan. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T193482A8862229. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T193482A8862229.en
- Sadlier, RA, Bauer, AM, Jourdan, H., Astrongatt, S., Deuss, M., Duval, T., Bourguet, E., McCoy, S., Bouteiller, A. & Lagrange, A. (2022) . Oedodera marmorata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T176174A123253917. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T176174A123253917.en
- Nguyen, T.Q., Hamilton, P. & Ziegler, T. (2014). Shinisaurus crocodilurus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T57287221A57287235. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T57287221A57287235.en
- Arteaga-Navarro, A., Mayer, G.C., Poe, S. & Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. (2022). Anole proboscis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T178727A18975861. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T178727A18975861.en
- Vanderduys, E., Wilson, S., Hobson, R., Venz, M. & Sanderson, C. (2022). Hemiaspis damelii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T102709908A102709925. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T102709908A102709925.en
- Seminoff, J.A. (Southwest Fisheries Science Center, U.S.). (2004). Chelonia mydas. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T4615A11037468. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T4615A11037468.en
- Lang, J, Chowfin, S. & Ross, J.P. (2022). Gavialis gangeticus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T8966A149227430. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T8966A1
