Reptile conservation encompasses a broad range of activities. Some examples are ensuring that natural habitats remain intact or protected, educating the public about specific species and their needs, and working with land owners to preserve their properties.
크레스티드게코분양Invasive species and hunting, primarily commercial harvest for trade, are the most common threats to reptiles globally. Agriculture, logging and urban development also pose significant challenges.
Threats
Reptiles have a long track record of survival, with the ability to adapt to changing environments. But in this era of climate change, humans are pushing many reptile species to the edge of extinction.
Compared to amphibians and birds, reptiles are being hit especially hard. Nearly a quarter of global reptile species are classified as endangered, threatened or vulnerable (Fig. 1). In the US, nearly half of our reptiles are in decline and some have already been lost to extinction.
The anthropogenic factors increasing reptile extinction risk are similar to those for other tetrapods: habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development, logging, and hunting for meat and skins. Threats resulting in habitat degradation affect proportionately more reptile species than those leading to habitat loss, indicating that conservation efforts need to be targeted at the local level.
From turtles that breathe through their genitals to chameleons the size of a chickpea, reptiles are like living fossils—the loss of them would mean a loss of 15.6 billion years of evolutionary history. But a new assessment has revealed that many of these unique species are on the verge of extinction. With many species classified as Critically Endangered or Extinct in the Wild, it is time to focus on saving these iconic animals.
Habitat Loss
Reptiles require a diverse range of habitat types to survive. A reptile’s habitat needs to provide shade, shelter, food, water and basking spots. They also need to have the ability to control body temperature.
The primary threat to reptiles is habitat loss. Over half of all tropical species have lost more than half of their original habitat in the last 50 years. Human activities that cause habitat loss include agriculture, commercial development, water projects, logging, road building, infrastructure and outdoor recreation.
In comparison, mammals have lost only 6% of their original habitat and birds 23%. Although conservation efforts for other animals have likely protected many reptiles, the 1,829 species considered threatened are at risk of extinction because they are overlooked in comprehensive assessments of global tetrapod biodiversity2.
ARC works to protect reptile habitat by engaging with communities to support wildlife preservation initiatives. Educating citizens about the importance of each species is an important component to the success of any conservation program.
In addition to education, ARC works to ensure that private landowners are aware of the unique challenges faced by reptile species. Land owners who work with wildlife conservation groups are more likely to preserve the natural habitats where they live.
Illegal Hunting
The exploitation of reptiles for their meat, skin and eggs is a major factor in wild reptile population declines (McCallum 2015). Illegal hunters often target specific species that are viewed as desirable, or perceived as having spiritual or medicinal value. For example, snakes, turtles and crocodiles have declined significantly due to illegal hunting for food, pets and medicine in Asia. The scale of the global reptile trade and limited knowledge of the direct impact on wild populations justifies a review of how international reptile trade is regulated. A more targeted approach to CITES Appendix III, which allows the import of endemic reptiles for sale when local regulations are in place, could complement broader international trade agreements.
In southwestern Balochistan, where the number of reptiles captured illegally has decreased since 2013, this is likely due to the provincial wildlife authority’s strict enforcement of The Balochistan Wildlife Act 2014. This Act allows for indigenous reptiles and amphibians to be collected on the shoulder or unpaved right-of-way of public roads only, if the person possesses a valid reptile and amphibian endorsement and employs non-lethal means only.
While there is a growing body of evidence that suggests poverty alleviation can reduce illegal wildlife hunting, research on the links between these two phenomena remains incomplete. This is due to the fact that many researchers have focused on measuring poverty as an explanatory variable in their studies, rather than exploring the contextual conditions or motivations that lead people to hunt reptiles illegally.
Lack of Females
The demand for exotic reptiles as pets and body parts drives the illegal trade, leading to wild population declines and disrupting natural ecosystems. Educational programs and outreach efforts can raise awareness and inspire people to take action in support of reptile conservation.
Many species of reptiles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination, which can make them particularly vulnerable to climate change and environmental contaminants that interfere with hormones. As a result, the sex ratio of some reptile populations can change dramatically over short periods of time due to temperature fluctuations or climatic events such as droughts.
The relative abundance of males versus females can have profound effects on population dynamics, and in some cases contribute to extinction risk. In addition to habitat loss and hunting, females can also become more vulnerable to human-induced threats such as parasites, diseases, and pathogens.
Reptiles are often overlooked in global conservation-prioritization analyses, despite being the most threatened group of tetrapods. ARC is committed to working with partners across the world to identify and implement effective strategies to mitigate these threats for amphibians, reptiles, and their places in nature.
Achieving the goals of ARC’s national strategy will require the support of individuals, organizations, communities, and governments. The charity aims to inspire socially responsible environmental action by 2030 and will play an active role in helping government leaders deliver on their commitments to conserve biodiversity.