Sceloporus exsul
CR

Sceloporus exsul

Declining

Photo: (c) Tania Fernández, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Tania Fernández

Overview

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

Sceloporus exsul faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on Isla Todos Santos off Baja California, Mexico. The species is vulnerable to habitat degradation from invasive plant species and human disturbance from recreational activities on the island. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and potential sea level rise affecting coastal habitats. The small population size makes the species particularly susceptible to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic lizard inhabits the rocky coastal scrubland and maritime chaparral of Isla Todos Santos, occupying areas with native shrubs and cacti. The species is adapted to the island's Mediterranean climate and relies on the complex microhabitat structure provided by native vegetation for shelter and thermoregulation.

Desert· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recovery

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Sceloporus exsul classified as Critically Endangered?
Sceloporus exsul 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. Sceloporus exsul faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on Isla Todos Santos off Baja California, Mexico. The species is vulnerable to habitat degradation from invasive plant species and human disturbance from recreational activities on the island. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and potential sea level rise affecting coastal habitats. The small population size makes the species particularly susceptible to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks.
Where does Sceloporus exsul live?
Sceloporus exsul 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 Sceloporus exsul?
The main threats to Sceloporus exsul are 2.3, 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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