Reptiles, an ancient and diverse group of vertebrates, are facing a dire threat as many species teeter on the brink of extinction. With over 10,000 known species ranging from the massive Komodo dragon to the tiny gecko, reptiles inhabit virtually every corner of the globe, yet their survival is increasingly imperiled. Rampant habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade have pushed numerous reptile species to the brink of extinction, earning them the tragic status of being critically endangered. As stewards of this planet, urgent and concerted efforts are imperative to safeguard these remarkable creatures before they disappear forever, thereby preserving the delicate balance of ecosystems worldwide.
Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus):
- Considered the most uniquely evolved crocodilian species, specialized for river-dwelling and fish-eating.
- Habitat: Prefers clean rivers with sand banks.
- Distribution: The only viable population is found in the National Chambal Sanctuary, spanning across three states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh in India. Small non-breeding populations exist in rivers like Son, Gandak, Hoogly, and Ghagra. Extinct in Myanmar, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
- Threats: Faces significant challenges from the combined effects of dams, barrages, artificial embankments, alterations in river courses, pollution, sand-mining, riparian agriculture, and the influx of domestic and feral livestock.
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata):
- This species is migratory, with nesting occurring in approximately 70 countries worldwide.
- Maturation is slow, estimated to take between 25 to 40 years.
- Habitat: Nesting primarily occurs on insular, sandy beaches.
- Distribution: Found in India, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along the coast of Tamil Nadu, and in Orissa.
- Threats: Faces numerous challenges including illegal trade of turtle shells, egg collection, slaughter for meat, oil pollution, and destruction of nesting and foraging habitats.
Four-toed River Terrapin or River Terrapin (Batagur baska):
- Habitat: Inhabits freshwater rivers and lakes.
- Distribution: Found in countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
- Threats: Faces threats from the use of flesh for medicinal purposes, demand for eggs as delicacies.
Red-crowned Roofed Turtle or the Bengal Roof Turtle (Batagur kachuga):
- Habitat: Prefers deep, flowing rivers with terrestrial nest sites.
- Distribution: Found in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, mainly in the watershed of the Ganga River.
- Threats: Challenges include water development projects, water pollution, human disturbance, and poaching for the illegal wildlife market.
Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea):
- Recently moved from Critically Endangered to Vulnerable status.
- It is the largest of all living sea turtles, with weights reaching up to 900 kg, and primarily feeds on jellyfish.
- Habitat: Occurs in tropical and subtropical oceans.
- Distribution: Found in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
- Threats: Faces challenges from high-sea fishing operations, harvesting of eggs, destruction of nests by predators, including wild predators and domesticated species, and habitat degradation due to artificial lighting, construction, mining, and plantation of exotic species.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle:
- Also referred to as the Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle.
- Distribution: Found in warm and tropical waters, primarily inhabiting the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- Best known for their synchronized nesting behavior in large numbers.
- In the Indian Ocean, a significant portion of Olive Ridley turtles nests near Gahirmatha in Odisha, India.
- The coast of Odisha hosts the largest mass nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles.
- Threats: Face challenges such as unsustainable egg collection, slaughtering of nesting females on the beach, and direct harvesting of adults at sea for commercial sale of both meat and hides. Coastal development, natural disasters, climate change, and beach erosion are also identified as potential threats to nesting grounds.
NEAR THREATENED REPTILES
Sispara Day Gecko (Cnemaspis sisparensis):
- Distribution: Endemic to the Western Ghats, specifically found in Sispara, Nilgiris, and Kavalai near Cochin.
- Threats: Faces challenges from habitat conversion and modification, which pose risks to its population and survival.
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPIDERS
Rameshwaram Ornamental or Rameshwaram Parachute Spider (Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica):
- This spider, described in 2004, is exclusively found in India.
- The species exhibits semi-social behavior, partially living in groups.
- Habitat: Arboreal, residing primarily in trees and preferring hidden locations.
- Distribution: Endemic to India, occupying coastal savannah, tropical lowland rainforests, and montane forests up to an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level.
- Threats: Habitat alteration and degradation pose significant risks to the survival of this species.
Gooty Tarantula, Metallic Tarantula, or Peacock Tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica):
- First discovered in Gooty (Ooty/Udagamandalam).
- Habitat: Inhabits wooded mountain areas.
- Distribution: Endemic to South India.
- Threats: Highly sought after in the illegal pet trade, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED CORALS
Fire Corals (Millepora boschmai):
- More closely related to jellyfish than corals.
- Distribution: Found in Indonesia, Gulf of Chiriqui in Panama, and the Pacific Province. Possibly extinct in Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Panama, Singapore, and Thailand.
- Threats: Collected for decoration and jewelry trade. Susceptible to temperature rises, with increasing global warming possibly leading to their disappearance from many marine areas due to bleaching effects.
Flying Squirrel:
- Flying squirrels are a tribe of 44 species of squirrels, known for gliding through the air rather than true flight.
- Their conservation status varies, with some species classified as Near Threatened or Endangered.
- The Indian giant flying squirrel is categorized as ‘Least Concerned.’
FAQs about Critically Endangered Reptiles, Spiders, and Corals
1. What are some examples of Critically Endangered reptiles?
A: Critically Endangered reptiles include the Gharial, Hawksbill Turtle, Four-toed River Terrapin, Red-crowned Roofed Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, and Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. These species face significant threats to their survival, such as habitat loss, pollution, and illegal trade.
2. What are the primary threats to Critically Endangered reptiles?
A: The primary threats to Critically Endangered reptiles vary but often include habitat degradation and loss, pollution of their habitats, overexploitation through illegal trade, and human disturbance of nesting sites. For example, the Gharial faces challenges from dams, pollution, sand mining, and alterations in river courses.
3. Can you explain the conservation status of the Leatherback Turtle?
A: The Leatherback Turtle, the largest of all living sea turtles, was recently moved from Critically Endangered to Vulnerable status. Despite this reclassification, Leatherback Turtles still face significant threats from high-sea fishing operations, egg harvesting, nest destruction, and habitat degradation.
4. What are some examples of Critically Endangered spiders?
A: Critically Endangered spiders include the Rameshwaram Ornamental Spider and the Gooty Tarantula. These spiders are highly threatened by habitat alteration and degradation, as well as illegal pet trade.
5. What are the main threats to Critically Endangered corals?
A: Critically Endangered corals, such as Fire Corals, face threats from collection for the decoration and jewelry trade. Additionally, they are susceptible to temperature rises, which can lead to bleaching and ultimately disappearance from many marine areas.
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