Must Know Information about Endangered Lizards
There are many endangered lizards included in the current lists of species facing the risk of extinction. The IUCN Red List and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have lists of threatened species and lizards feature in both these lists. There are said to be 3,800 sub-species of lizards spread across several continents and these creatures have evolved and adapted to their settings in unique ways. Today some of these species are facing the possibility of extinction.
What threatens lizards?
Lizards are becoming endangered because of a wide variety of causes. One of the biggest concerns is habitat decline. Given that lizards have adapted and grown in ways to fit their surroundings, the steady loss of those surrounding conditions leaves the lizard without a conducive habitat. Human development has lead to a steady encroachment in the natural spaces such as woods and marshes. This has reduced the space available to natural creatures and lizards such as the Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard or Uma inornata and the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard or Phrynosoma mcalli are impacted by these changes.
Another reason for the steady decline in numbers of some lizards is their poaching and hunting. This happens for a couple of different reasons. One is that the skins of certain kinds of lizards are much priced and so greed is a motivation for hunting and killing them. In some culture lizard meat is a highly valued delicacy and once again greed can prompt the slaughtering of these reptiles. The third reason, ironically, is that some people like owning creatures that are considered rare and exotic. So, the very presence of a certain kind of lizard on the endangered list makes it attractive for collectors. This can again drive up the price of the species and greed can once again motivate a lizard hunter to remove an animal from its natural setting.
The third problem that many lizards face is pollution. Human beings have been emitting smoke and chemicals in the water and air for decades now and all this is starting to have a palpable effect on the environment. Many lizards are very sensitive to the adulteration and find themselves unable to survive in polluted circumstances. This has lead to an increased mortality rate.
Global warming and the resultant changes in ambient temperature have also had a big impact of lizard populations. A study by scientists reports that as much as 4 per cent of the lizard population has already fallen prey to rising global temperatures. If this progresses unchecked, it can cause a major modification of our food chain. Lizards eat insects and keep them in check – a drop in lizard population implies a rise in insect population and this will have ramifications for humans in terms of food crop and health. It is a good reminder of how different creatures are interlinked and have to work with one another to keep an environmental balance.
Any one or a combination of these reasons can make a lizard species vulnerable to extinction.
How to save the lizards?
All those who care about the issue should take it upon themselves to educate others about it. Relentless advocacy is important for getting the message out – people sometimes do not realize the inter-connectedness of things and may turn a deaf ear to talks about endangered lizards. It is up to the activist to make the point that lizards have an impact on human life. This process of education should be inclusive and collaborative. If the idea is to get more people to support the campaign to save lizards, the best approach is to be non-judgmental. It is in a way easy to rail at real estate developers and lizard poachers as the enemy – it will be harder but more effective to work with them and to convert their way of thinking.
The clock is ticking for many endangered lizards and it is of utmost importance to get the message out to as many people as possible.