Cochran's Least Gecko
CR

Cochran's Least Gecko

Sphaerodactylus cochranae

Unknown

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

Sphaerodactylus cochranae, commonly known as Cochran's least gecko, is a critically endangered species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. It is endemic to Hispaniola, specifically found within the Los Haitises National Park and adjacent karst regions in the Dominican Republic.

Sphaerodactylus cochranae 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. Introduced predators and competitors pose additional pressure on remaining populations, while climate change threatens to alter the specific microhabitat conditions this gecko requires.

Threat summary

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 specific microhabitat conditions with appropriate humidity levels and shelter availability within its restricted range.

Forest· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSite/area managementSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in SPHAERODACTYLIDAE

Gray GeckoVU

Gray Gecko

Sphaerodactylus cinereus

Declining
VU

Gonatodes tapajonicus

Unknown
EN

Teratoscincus rustamowi

Declining
Morne Dubois Least GeckoCR

Morne Dubois Least Gecko

Sphaerodactylus nycteropus

Unknown

Threatened in Dominican Republic

Hispaniola PupfishEN

Hispaniola Pupfish

Cyprinodon bondi

Unknown
Humped BladderwortCR

Humped Bladderwort

Utricularia gibba

Unknown
EN

Black-throated Stout Anole

Anolis armouri

Unknown
EN

Bay-breasted Cuckoo

Coccyzus rufigularis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cochran's Least Gecko classified as Critically Endangered?
Cochran's Least Gecko 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. Sphaerodactylus cochranae 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. Introduced predators and competitors pose additional pressure on remaining populations, while climate change threatens to alter the specific microhabitat conditions this gecko requires.
Where does Cochran's Least Gecko live?
Cochran's Least Gecko occurs in Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Cochran's Least Gecko?
The main threats to Cochran's Least Gecko are 2.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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