CR

Stenocercus haenschi

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Stenocercus haenschi faces severe threats from rapid habitat destruction in Ecuador's coastal dry forests, one of the world's most endangered ecosystems. Urban expansion and agricultural conversion have eliminated most of its original habitat, while the species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting the dry forest ecosystem this lizard depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic lizard inhabits Ecuador's coastal dry forests and scrublands, particularly areas with dense vegetation cover and rocky outcrops. It requires well-preserved forest structure with adequate canopy cover and leaf litter for foraging and shelter.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in TROPIDURIDAE

Peracca's Whorltail IguanaVU

Peracca's Whorltail Iguana

Stenocercus festae

Unknown
Tropidurus erythrocephalusVU

Tropidurus erythrocephalus

Unknown
EN

Tropidurus psammonastes

Unknown
VU

Stenocercus dumerilii

Unknown

Threatened in Ecuador

Curlew SandpiperVU

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Argentinean Horned FrogVU

Argentinean Horned Frog

Ceratophrys ornata

Declining
EN

Chelonoidis chathamensis

Increasing
EN

Baird's Tapir

Tapirus bairdii

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Stenocercus haenschi classified as Critically Endangered?
Stenocercus haenschi 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. Stenocercus haenschi faces severe threats from rapid habitat destruction in Ecuador's coastal dry forests, one of the world's most endangered ecosystems. Urban expansion and agricultural conversion have eliminated most of its original habitat, while the species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting the dry forest ecosystem this lizard depends upon.
Where does Stenocercus haenschi live?
Stenocercus haenschi occurs in Ecuador. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Stenocercus haenschi?
The main threats to Stenocercus haenschi are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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