Tropidurus erythrocephalus
VU

Tropidurus erythrocephalus

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Tropidurus erythrocephalus faces significant pressure from habitat degradation in its restricted range within Brazil's Caatinga dry forest ecosystem. Urban expansion and agricultural conversion are fragmenting the species' specialized rocky outcrop habitats, while introduced livestock grazing alters the vegetation structure essential for this lizard's foraging and thermoregulation. Climate change poses an additional threat through increased aridity and temperature extremes that may exceed the species' physiological tolerance limits.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits rocky outcrops and stone formations within Brazil's Caatinga dry forest, where it utilizes crevices and boulder surfaces for shelter and thermoregulation. The lizard requires areas with sparse to moderate vegetation cover that provide both basking sites and prey availability in this semi-arid ecosystem.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Tropidurus erythrocephalus classified as Vulnerable?
Tropidurus erythrocephalus 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. Tropidurus erythrocephalus faces significant pressure from habitat degradation in its restricted range within Brazil's Caatinga dry forest ecosystem. Urban expansion and agricultural conversion are fragmenting the species' specialized rocky outcrop habitats, while introduced livestock grazing alters the vegetation structure essential for this lizard's foraging and thermoregulation. Climate change poses an additional threat through increased aridity and temperature extremes that may exceed the species' physiological tolerance limits.
Where does Tropidurus erythrocephalus live?
Tropidurus erythrocephalus occurs in Mauritius. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Tropidurus erythrocephalus?
The main threats to Tropidurus erythrocephalus 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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