Xenosaurus newmanorum
EN

Xenosaurus newmanorum

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenosaurus_newmanorum

Overview

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

Xenosaurus newmanorum faces severe habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion within its restricted range in the Sierra Madre Oriental of Mexico. The species' specialized microhabitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, as it depends on specific rock crevices and fallen logs in cloud forest environments. Mining activities and infrastructure development further threaten the remaining suitable habitat patches.

Threat summary

Habitat

This knob-scaled lizard inhabits cloud forests and pine-oak forests in the Sierra Madre Oriental of Mexico, typically found in rock crevices, under fallen logs, and among leaf litter at elevations between 1,200-2,400 meters. The species requires humid microhabitats with stable temperatures and moisture levels characteristic of montane forest ecosystems.

Forest· majorForest - Temperate· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in XENOSAURIDAE

Xenosaurus platycepsEN

Xenosaurus platyceps

Declining
Xenosaurus grandisVU

Xenosaurus grandis

Declining

Threatened in Mexico

EN

Turbinicarpus horripilus

Declining
CR

Turbinicarpus mandragora

Declining
EN

Opuntia pachyrrhiza

Declining
EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Xenosaurus newmanorum classified as Endangered?
Xenosaurus newmanorum is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Xenosaurus newmanorum faces severe habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion within its restricted range in the Sierra Madre Oriental of Mexico. The species' specialized microhabitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, as it depends on specific rock crevices and fallen logs in cloud forest environments. Mining activities and infrastructure development further threaten the remaining suitable habitat patches.
Where does Xenosaurus newmanorum live?
Xenosaurus newmanorum occurs in Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Xenosaurus newmanorum?
The main threats to Xenosaurus newmanorum 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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