Skyros Wall Lizard
VU

Skyros Wall Lizard

Podarcis gaigeae

UnknownVUEU

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

Overview

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

The Skyros Wall Lizard faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on the small Greek island of Skyros, making it vulnerable to any environmental changes. Tourism development and infrastructure expansion directly destroy its rocky habitat, while introduced predators and competitors pose additional pressure on the limited population. Climate change threatens to alter the Mediterranean scrubland ecosystem it depends on, potentially pushing this endemic species toward extinction.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic lizard inhabits rocky outcrops, stone walls, and Mediterranean scrubland on the Greek island of Skyros. It prefers areas with abundant crevices and loose stones that provide shelter and basking sites in the island's dry, rocky terrain.

Other threatened species in Lacertidae

Iberian Rock LizardVU

Iberian Rock Lizard

Iberolacerta monticola

Unknown
Milos Wall LizardVU

Milos Wall Lizard

Podarcis milensis

Unknown
Acanthodactylus mechriguensisCR

Acanthodactylus mechriguensis

Unknown
EN

Philochortus zolii

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Skyros Wall Lizard classified as Vulnerable?
Skyros Wall Lizard 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. The Skyros Wall Lizard faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on the small Greek island of Skyros, making it vulnerable to any environmental changes. Tourism development and infrastructure expansion directly destroy its rocky habitat, while introduced predators and competitors pose additional pressure on the limited population. Climate change threatens to alter the Mediterranean scrubland ecosystem it depends on, potentially pushing this endemic species toward extinction.
Where does Skyros Wall Lizard live?
Skyros Wall Lizard occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Skyros Wall Lizard?
The main threats to Skyros Wall Lizard 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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