Oreosaurus cephalolineatus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Oreosaurus cephalolineatus faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests across its limited range are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching. The species' restriction to high-elevation montane environments makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change, as warming temperatures force suitable habitat upslope with nowhere left to retreat. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Andes further fragment the remaining forest patches essential for this endemic lizard's survival.
Habitat
This endemic lizard inhabits cloud forests and montane humid forests at elevations between 1,800-3,200 meters in the northern Andes. It requires dense forest canopy with high humidity levels and is typically found in leaf litter and low vegetation within primary and well-preserved secondary forest habitats.