Endangered and Endemic Herpetofauna
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Fijian Copper Headed Skink
scientific name: Emoia parkeri
conservation status: Unknown, according to NatureFiji.org "coastal populations are largely extinct, the species was common, in what is now logged, forest of the Nausori Highland in Viti Levu. Whether this species still occurs there or not needs to be ascertained."
endemic?: YES
threats: Like other terrestrial reptiles the Copper Headed Skink is most assuredly threatened by domestic and introduced predators as well as habitat destruction and loss.
scientific name: Emoia parkeri
conservation status: Unknown, according to NatureFiji.org "coastal populations are largely extinct, the species was common, in what is now logged, forest of the Nausori Highland in Viti Levu. Whether this species still occurs there or not needs to be ascertained."
endemic?: YES
threats: Like other terrestrial reptiles the Copper Headed Skink is most assuredly threatened by domestic and introduced predators as well as habitat destruction and loss.
Hawksbill Turtle
scientific name: Eretmochelys imbricata
conservation status: Critically Endangered (2008)
endemic?: NO
threats: Tortoiseshell Trade, Egg collection, Slaughter for meat, destruction of nesting habitat, destruction of foraging habitat, crossbreeding with other species, entanglement and ingestion of debris, oil pollution. (IUCNREDLIST)
scientific name: Eretmochelys imbricata
conservation status: Critically Endangered (2008)
endemic?: NO
threats: Tortoiseshell Trade, Egg collection, Slaughter for meat, destruction of nesting habitat, destruction of foraging habitat, crossbreeding with other species, entanglement and ingestion of debris, oil pollution. (IUCNREDLIST)
Green Turtle
scientific name: Chelonia mydas
conservation status: Endangered (2004)
endemic?: NO
threats: Like other sea turtles Green turtles are threatened by habitat degradation (pollution), illegal poaching of shells and (still legal) harvest of eggs, by-catch of fishermen, degradation of nesting habitats (beaches & nightlights). Sea Turtles instinctually return to their birth place for nesting if that's not available its impossible for them to breed, if they can get there and lay eggs their eggs are threatened by human harvesting, and if those eggs ever get a chance to hatch those hatchlings are threatened by the nightlights that might attract them to a tourist resort rather than the ocean.
scientific name: Chelonia mydas
conservation status: Endangered (2004)
endemic?: NO
threats: Like other sea turtles Green turtles are threatened by habitat degradation (pollution), illegal poaching of shells and (still legal) harvest of eggs, by-catch of fishermen, degradation of nesting habitats (beaches & nightlights). Sea Turtles instinctually return to their birth place for nesting if that's not available its impossible for them to breed, if they can get there and lay eggs their eggs are threatened by human harvesting, and if those eggs ever get a chance to hatch those hatchlings are threatened by the nightlights that might attract them to a tourist resort rather than the ocean.
Fiji Burrowing Snake
scientific name: Ogmodon vitianus
conservation status: Vulnerable (1996)
endemic?: YES, island endemic
threats: Threatened by introduced animals species; feral pigs, mongoose, rats may predate on their eggs. More recently their habitats have been degraded by logging, prospective copper mining and agriculture.
(IUCN REDLIST, naturefiji.org)
scientific name: Ogmodon vitianus
conservation status: Vulnerable (1996)
endemic?: YES, island endemic
threats: Threatened by introduced animals species; feral pigs, mongoose, rats may predate on their eggs. More recently their habitats have been degraded by logging, prospective copper mining and agriculture.
(IUCN REDLIST, naturefiji.org)
Leatherback Turtle
scientific name: Dermochelys coriacea
conservation status: Critically Endangered (2000)
endemic?: NO
threats: Greater harvest of eggs, accidental capture by fishermen (long-line or drift-netting), illegal egg harvest, illegal poaching for pet trade, ocean pollution (habitat degradation). (IUCNREDLIST)
scientific name: Dermochelys coriacea
conservation status: Critically Endangered (2000)
endemic?: NO
threats: Greater harvest of eggs, accidental capture by fishermen (long-line or drift-netting), illegal egg harvest, illegal poaching for pet trade, ocean pollution (habitat degradation). (IUCNREDLIST)
Onoilau Skink
scientific name: Leiolopisma alazon
conservation status: Unknown, "assumed until shown otherwise that its distribution is confined to the island of Yanuya." (naturefiji.org)
endemic?: YES, island endemic
threats: Assumed threats from domestic predators; mongoose, rats, cat, pig.
scientific name: Leiolopisma alazon
conservation status: Unknown, "assumed until shown otherwise that its distribution is confined to the island of Yanuya." (naturefiji.org)
endemic?: YES, island endemic
threats: Assumed threats from domestic predators; mongoose, rats, cat, pig.
Rotuman Forest Gecko
scientific name: Lepidodactylus gardineri
conservation status: Vulnerable (2012)
endemic?: YES
threats: This species of gecko is largely dependent on the existence of Acalypha grandis therefore deforestation would present a significant threat to the species (IUCNREDLIST).
scientific name: Lepidodactylus gardineri
conservation status: Vulnerable (2012)
endemic?: YES
threats: This species of gecko is largely dependent on the existence of Acalypha grandis therefore deforestation would present a significant threat to the species (IUCNREDLIST).
Fiji Banded Iguana
scientific name: Brachylophus fasciatus
conservation status: Endangered (2012)
endemic?: YES
threats: Domestic predators black rats and feral cats are a great threat to these iguanas. They are able to decimate local populations quickly. On certain islands, the introduction of pigs limited the nest areas available to iguanas. Domestic goats also compete with Iguanas by eating the plants most important to their survival. Habitat loss also threatens Iguanas caused by human lit fires, deforestation, development, agriculture, tourism. (IUCNREDLIST)
scientific name: Brachylophus fasciatus
conservation status: Endangered (2012)
endemic?: YES
threats: Domestic predators black rats and feral cats are a great threat to these iguanas. They are able to decimate local populations quickly. On certain islands, the introduction of pigs limited the nest areas available to iguanas. Domestic goats also compete with Iguanas by eating the plants most important to their survival. Habitat loss also threatens Iguanas caused by human lit fires, deforestation, development, agriculture, tourism. (IUCNREDLIST)
Fiji Crested Iguana
scientific name: Brachylophus vitiensis
conservation status: Critically Endangered (1996)
endemic?: YES
threats: Remaining populations of iguanas are threatened by degradation of habitat. They rely on native dry forests that continue to be threatened by logging, fires, monoculture, grazing of domestic animals, invasive plants, expansion of humans, tourism and grasslands. Because of their small size they are in danger of being eaten by feral cats, black rats and mongoose. (IUCNREDLIST)
scientific name: Brachylophus vitiensis
conservation status: Critically Endangered (1996)
endemic?: YES
threats: Remaining populations of iguanas are threatened by degradation of habitat. They rely on native dry forests that continue to be threatened by logging, fires, monoculture, grazing of domestic animals, invasive plants, expansion of humans, tourism and grasslands. Because of their small size they are in danger of being eaten by feral cats, black rats and mongoose. (IUCNREDLIST)