VU

Uta encantadae

Stable

Overview

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

Uta encantadae faces severe habitat degradation from introduced goats and other non-native herbivores that have dramatically altered the native vegetation structure of its island home. The species' extremely limited range on a single small island makes it particularly vulnerable to stochastic events such as volcanic eruptions or severe weather patterns. Human activities including tourism development and infrastructure expansion continue to fragment and reduce available habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic lizard inhabits the arid and semi-arid zones of its Galápagos island, particularly favoring areas with native shrubland and rocky outcrops. It occupies coastal lowlands and interior volcanic terrain where it can find suitable basking sites and invertebrate prey among the sparse vegetation.

Marine intertidal· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recovery

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Uta encantadae classified as Vulnerable?
Uta encantadae 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. Uta encantadae faces severe habitat degradation from introduced goats and other non-native herbivores that have dramatically altered the native vegetation structure of its island home. The species' extremely limited range on a single small island makes it particularly vulnerable to stochastic events such as volcanic eruptions or severe weather patterns. Human activities including tourism development and infrastructure expansion continue to fragment and reduce available habitat.
Where does Uta encantadae live?
Uta encantadae 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 Uta encantadae?
The main threats to Uta encantadae 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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