Turquoise Dwarf Gecko
CR

Turquoise Dwarf Gecko

Lygodactylus williamsi

Declining

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

Overview

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

Lygodactylus williamsi faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and logging activities within its extremely restricted range in the Kimboza Forest of Tanzania. The species is also heavily impacted by collection for the international pet trade, where it commands high prices as the 'electric blue gecko.' Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific microhabitat conditions this species requires in its montane forest environment.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species is endemic to the Kimboza Forest in the Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania, where it inhabits Pandanus trees and other native vegetation in montane forest environments. It requires specific microhabitat conditions including appropriate humidity levels and tree hollow nesting sites found only in intact forest ecosystems.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionResource & habitat protectionSpecies recoveryLegislation

Other threatened species in GEKKONIDAE

EN

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Cyrtodactylus psarops

Unknown
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Hampi Rock Gecko

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Gekko russelltraini

Stable
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Tanahjampea Bent-toed Gecko

Cyrtodactylus tanahjampea

Unknown

Threatened in Tanzania

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
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Panicum pinifolium

Unknown
VU

Aidia abeidii

Unknown
EN

Meineckia stipularis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Turquoise Dwarf Gecko classified as Critically Endangered?
Turquoise Dwarf 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. Lygodactylus williamsi faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and logging activities within its extremely restricted range in the Kimboza Forest of Tanzania. The species is also heavily impacted by collection for the international pet trade, where it commands high prices as the 'electric blue gecko.' Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific microhabitat conditions this species requires in its montane forest environment.
Where does Turquoise Dwarf Gecko live?
Turquoise Dwarf Gecko occurs in Tanzania. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Turquoise Dwarf Gecko?
The main threats to Turquoise Dwarf Gecko are 2.1, 5.1, 5.1.1, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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