A quarter of Earth's reptiles need rocky habitats, but we're destroying them
One in four terrestrial reptiles use rocky habitats, but mining and quarrying are erasing these refuges faster than they reform.
A new study found over a quarter of the world's snakes, lizards and worm-lizards use rocky places like cliff faces and boulder fields. About 10% depend only on these habitats for survival.
Rock-dependent species have ranges 68% smaller than other reptiles. These species are 51% more likely to be critically endangered.
In Western Australia, South Australia and western Victoria, machines clear surface rocks at up to one hectare per hour for farmland. Once destroyed, rocky habitats take centuries or even thousands of years to reform.
These habitats are rarely protected, even though they matter.
- about 10%
- Species dependent exclusively on rocks
- 68% smaller
- Rock-dependent species range reduction
Why it mattersWithout protection, hundreds of unique reptile species could go extinct. These habitats are crucial refuges as climate warms.
AustraliaAustralian agricultural practices are actively destroying rocky habitats that threatened reptile species depend on, particularly in three states.
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