Sphaerodactylus lazelli
Photo: (c) Marcos Rodríguez Bobadilla, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Sphaerodactylus lazelli faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and tourism infrastructure expansion across its extremely limited range in the Dominican Republic. The species' restriction to small forest fragments makes it particularly vulnerable to edge effects and habitat degradation. Hurricane damage and climate change-induced weather pattern shifts pose additional risks to the remaining populations in this Caribbean endemic's fragmented habitat.
Habitat
This critically endangered gecko inhabits dry forests and scrublands in the Dominican Republic, typically found in leaf litter and under rocks or fallen logs. The species requires intact forest floor microhabitats with adequate moisture retention and temperature regulation provided by canopy cover.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in SPHAERODACTYLIDAE
Threatened in Haiti
Frequently asked questions
Why is Sphaerodactylus lazelli classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Sphaerodactylus lazelli live?
What are the main threats to Sphaerodactylus lazelli?
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