Sri lanka’s unique lizard species face extinction crisis from habitat loss and illegal pet trade

Sri Lanka’s remarkable collection of agamid lizards—colorful, distinctive reptiles found nowhere else on Earth—is under siege from multiple threats that could drive many species to extinction. The island nation harbors more than 20 species of these lizards, with an astounding two-thirds being endemic, meaning they exist only in Sri Lanka’s unique ecosystems.

These extraordinary creatures primarily inhabit the island’s lush wet zone forests and mountainous regions, including the renowned Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, and the dramatic Knuckles Mountain Range. However, their survival hangs in the balance due to three critical threats: rapid habitat destruction, climate change impacts, and a growing illegal trade that smuggles them out of the country to satisfy demand for exotic pets.

A concerning study published in March 2025 in Integrative Conservation reveals the extent of the crisis. Researchers found that over 40% of the most critical habitats for these lizards remain completely unprotected, leaving vulnerable species like the rare Cophotis lizards without adequate safeguards. The study used advanced species distribution modeling to map where 14 threatened agamid species live, revealing that conservation hotspots are concentrated in areas facing intense development pressure.

With 19 of Sri Lanka’s 22 agamid species found nowhere else on the planet, their loss would represent an irreversible blow to global biodiversity. The research emphasizes the urgent need for expanded protected areas and stronger enforcement against wildlife trafficking to prevent these evolutionarily distinct creatures from disappearing forever.