CR

Angel's Five-toed Skink

Lacertaspis lepesmei

Stable

Overview

Lacertaspis lepesmei, also known commonly as Angel's five-toed skink, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Eugongylinae of the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Bambouto Massif, Cameroon.

The primary threat to Angel's Five-toed Skink is the ongoing clearance and degradation of lowland rainforest habitat within its narrow range, driven by logging and small-scale agricultural expansion. Because the species depends on leaf litter and forest-floor microhabitats for shelter and foraging, even localized deforestation can fragment and isolate its already limited populations. Its restricted distribution leaves it with little capacity to recolonize disturbed areas, heightening vulnerability to continued habitat conversion.

Threat summary

Habitat

Lacertaspis lepesmei occupies the forest floor of tropical rainforests, specifically dwelling within thick leaf litter layers and shallow soil substrates where humidity levels remain consistently high. The species requires dense canopy cover to maintain the cool, moist microclimate conditions necessary for foraging and shelter.

Savanna· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSpecies recovery

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Angel's Five-toed Skink classified as Critically Endangered?
Angel's Five-toed Skink is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The primary threat to Angel's Five-toed Skink is the ongoing clearance and degradation of lowland rainforest habitat within its narrow range, driven by logging and small-scale agricultural expansion. Because the species depends on leaf litter and forest-floor microhabitats for shelter and foraging, even localized deforestation can fragment and isolate its already limited populations. Its restricted distribution leaves it with little capacity to recolonize disturbed areas, heightening vulnerability to continued habitat conversion.
Where does Angel's Five-toed Skink live?
Angel's Five-toed Skink occurs in Cameroon. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Angel's Five-toed Skink?
The main threats to Angel's Five-toed Skink are 2.1, and 2.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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