Many species of reptiles and amphibians have become endangered due to over hunting, or damage to the area in which they try to survive. These include crocodiles, snakes, certain species of lizard’s, and turtles. What are these endangered species of reptiles and amphibians?
Green Sea Turtles
Green Sea Turtles are one of these species that are close to extinction. In particular, the one’s that live in the sea off the coast of Florida and Mexico. It is difficult to tell the exact population of these turtles, but it can be determined while witnessing how many breeding females of the species come to shore each year. At the last count there were between 200 and 1,100 females coming to shore to lay their eggs. These turtles are hunted for their eggs, for food, jewelery and leather. The turtles only start producing around 20- 50 years of age.
The Gharial
The gharial is a creature that looks much like a crocodile. It is found in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The gharial was listed as an endangered species in 1973, but it hasn’t prevented the decrease in numbers of this species. Conservation programs have been set up to help this reptiles existence, but there are only around 1,500 living in the wild now.
Komodo Dragons
There are between 3000 and 6000 Komodo Dragons living in a small group of islands off the coast of Indonesia. Of this number only 350 are said to be females. Human destruction, natural disasters, and forest fires attribute to the reduction in numbers of this lizard.
Garter Snake
The beautiful colors of the San Francisco Garter Snake is one reason why this is an endangered species. It has an orange head, black and red stripes and blotches on its back, and a blue, or blue/green belly. There are only 1000-2000 left today due to hunting and habitat destruction.
Cricket Frogs
Blanchard’s cricket frogs are also depleting in numbers due to environmental changes in their habitat. They were once populous in Texas, Nebraska, Ohio, Michigan, and Southwestern Ontario. However, today they are not as commonly seen, and in Ontario the species has totally disappeared.
Blunt Nosed Lizard
The blunt nosed lizard was classified as endangered by the state of California in 1971. The females produce only one set of eggs per year. This is a large lizard only found in San Joaquin Valley. Habitat disturbance is the most common reason this species of lizard is depreciating in population.
This is only a few of the ever decreasing numbers of reptiles and amphibians. If you want to help endangered species of reptiles then this website will give you more information on how to do that. http://ircf.org/helpircf.php
