CR

Hypselostoma elephas

Declining

Overview

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

Hypselostoma elephas faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to limestone quarrying and urban development in its restricted range. The species' dependence on specific microhabitat conditions within cave systems makes it extremely vulnerable to environmental disturbances. Climate change poses additional risks through altered humidity and temperature regimes that could disrupt the delicate cave ecosystems this snail requires for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered land snail inhabits limestone cave systems and associated karst formations, requiring specific humidity and temperature conditions found in cave entrances and twilight zones. The species is endemic to a very restricted geographic range where it depends on the unique microhabitat conditions provided by limestone geology.

Forest· majorRocky areas· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Hypselostoma elephas classified as Critically Endangered?
Hypselostoma elephas 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. Hypselostoma elephas faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to limestone quarrying and urban development in its restricted range. The species' dependence on specific microhabitat conditions within cave systems makes it extremely vulnerable to environmental disturbances. Climate change poses additional risks through altered humidity and temperature regimes that could disrupt the delicate cave ecosystems this snail requires for survival.
Where does Hypselostoma elephas live?
Hypselostoma elephas occurs in Malaysia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hypselostoma elephas?
The main threats to Hypselostoma elephas are 3.2, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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