Cayman Islands

79 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

79

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

17

Highest risk

Endangered

20

Very high risk

Vulnerable

42

High risk

Declining

49%

39 species

Category Breakdown
CR 17
EN 20
VU 42
CR: 17
EN: 20
VU: 42

Critically Endangered

1722%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

2025%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

4253%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 79 species

Species by Group
🐟

fishes

32

32 threatened

🌱

plants

13

13 threatened

🐢

reptiles

9

9 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

9

9 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

5

5 threatened

🐦

birds

3

3 threatened

🪸

corals

3

3 threatened

🐚

molluscs

3

3 threatened

🐾

mammals

1

1 threatened

🐸

amphibians

1

1 threatened

Global Share

0.14%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#190

of 250 countries

Endemic Threatened

14

Found only here

Top Threats
1.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources28 species
2.Logging & wood harvesting20 species
3.Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases19 species
4.Housing & urban areas14 species
5.Recreational activities13 species
6.Annual & perennial non-timber crops12 species
7.Habitat shifting & alteration12 species
8.Type Unknown/Unrecorded (pollution)12 species

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Cayman Islands: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/KY

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Cayman Islands?
Cayman Islands has 79 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 17 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does Cayman Islands have?
Of the 79 threatened species in Cayman Islands, 17 are Critically Endangered, 20 are Endangered, and 42 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Cayman Islands?
Among the 17 Critically Endangered species in Cayman Islands, Rough Cactus Coral (Mycetophyllia ferox) is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in Cayman Islands?
SpeciesRadar does not yet catalogue protected areas for Cayman Islands. Where available, protected-area data is drawn from the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and national designations.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Cayman Islands?
The most affected groups in Cayman Islands, by number of threatened species, are fishes (32), plants (13), and reptiles (9). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Cayman Islands?
The leading threats to threatened species in Cayman Islands are fishing & harvesting aquatic resources, logging & wood harvesting, invasive non-native/alien species/diseases, and housing & urban areas. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many threatened species are found only in Cayman Islands?
Cayman Islands has 14 threatened species that are endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. Because their entire global population depends on this one country, they are especially vulnerable to local habitat loss.
How many of Cayman Islands's threatened species have declining populations?
39 of Cayman Islands's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does Cayman Islands compare to other countries for threatened species?
Cayman Islands ranks #190 of 250 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 0.14% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for Cayman Islands come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the Cayman Islands profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.