CRCritically Endangered

Cnemaspis rajakarunai

Local name: Rajakaruna’s Day Gecko

Unknown

Overview

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

Cnemaspis rajakarunai faces severe threats from rapid habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion in its extremely limited range in Sri Lanka. The species' restriction to specific rock outcrop microhabitats makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, with quarrying activities posing an immediate threat to remaining populations. Climate change may further stress this endemic gecko by altering the moisture and temperature conditions of its specialized rocky habitat.
Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Sri Lankan gecko inhabits granite rock outcrops and associated crevices in dry zone forests. It requires specific microhabitat conditions including adequate moisture retention in rock fissures and appropriate temperature gradients provided by the rocky substrate.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryAwareness & communicationsCompliance and enforcement

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Rajakaruna’s Day Gecko classified as Critically Endangered?

Rajakaruna’s Day Gecko 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. Cnemaspis rajakarunai faces severe threats from rapid habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion in its extremely limited range in Sri Lanka. The species' restriction to specific rock outcrop microhabitats makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, with quarrying activities posing an immediate threat to remaining populations. Climate change may further stress this endemic gecko by altering the moisture and temperature conditions of its specialized rocky habitat.

Where does Rajakaruna’s Day Gecko live?

Rajakaruna’s Day Gecko occurs in Sri Lanka. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.

What are the main threats to Rajakaruna’s Day Gecko?

The main threats to Rajakaruna’s Day Gecko 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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