VU

Liolaemus famatinae

Stable

Overview

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

Liolaemus famatinae faces significant pressure from mining activities in its high-altitude Andean habitat, where copper and gold extraction operations directly destroy nesting sites and alter the fragile puna ecosystem. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this cold-adapted lizard to retreat to increasingly limited suitable elevations. Livestock grazing by goats and sheep degrades the sparse vegetation cover that provides essential shelter and prey habitat for this specialized reptile.

Threat summary

Habitat

This lizard inhabits high-altitude puna grasslands and rocky outcrops in the Andes Mountains of northwestern Argentina, typically found between 3,000-4,500 meters elevation. It requires areas with sparse vegetation, scattered rocks for thermoregulation, and well-drained soils suitable for burrowing in the harsh montane environment.

Grassland· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protection

Other threatened species in LIOLAEMIDAE

Liolaemus azaraiCR

Liolaemus azarai

Unknown
EN

Dragon of Torres-Mura

Liolaemus torresi

Declining
VU

Ctenoblepharys adspersa

Unknown
EN

Liolaemus arambarensis

Declining

Threatened in Argentina

Striped SmoothhoundCR

Striped Smoothhound

Mustelus fasciatus

Declining
VU

Achala Escuerzo-Frog

Odontophrynus achalensis

Declining
VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
EN

Gubernatrix cristata

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Liolaemus famatinae classified as Vulnerable?
Liolaemus famatinae is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Liolaemus famatinae faces significant pressure from mining activities in its high-altitude Andean habitat, where copper and gold extraction operations directly destroy nesting sites and alter the fragile puna ecosystem. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this cold-adapted lizard to retreat to increasingly limited suitable elevations. Livestock grazing by goats and sheep degrades the sparse vegetation cover that provides essential shelter and prey habitat for this specialized reptile.
Where does Liolaemus famatinae live?
Liolaemus famatinae occurs in Argentina. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Liolaemus famatinae?
The main threats to Liolaemus famatinae 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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