14 Rarest Types of Lizards in the World
Tuatara: Although not technically a lizard, tuataras are lizard-like reptiles endemic to New Zealand. They are considered living fossils and are the only surviving members of their order.
Ploughshare Tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora): Found only in Madagascar, the ploughshare tortoise is critically endangered and one of the rarest tortoise species in the world.
Round Island Skink (Leiolopisma telfairii): Endemic to Round Island, located near Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It is critically endangered and faces threats from introduced predators.
Jamaican Giant Galliwasp (Celestus occiduus): Endemic to Jamaica, this large, robust lizard is critically endangered due to habitat loss and predation by introduced species.
Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum): Native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, the Gila monster is a venomous lizard with a striking appearance.
Seychelles Bronze Gecko : Restricted to a few small islands in the Seychelles archipelago.It is classified as critically endangered and faces threats from habitat destruction.
Blue-tailed Skink (Cryptoblepharus egeriae): Endemic to Lord Howe Island, an Australian territory in the Pacific Ocean. It is critically endangered due to habitat loss and predation by species.
Santa Cruz Ground Gecko (Phyllodactylus leei): Found only on the Galápagos Islands, this gecko is critically endangered and faces threats from invasive species and habitat degradation.
La Palma Giant Lizard (Gallotia auaritae): Restricted to the volcanic island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain. It is critically endangered due to habitat loss and predation.
Sierra Madre Forest Monitor (Varanus bitatawa): Discovered in the Philippines in 2010, this monitor lizard is considered one of the rarest lizards.
Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura collei): Endemic to Jamaica, this large iguana is critically endangered and was once thought to be extinct until a small population was rediscovered.
Fiji Banded Iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis): Restricted to the islands of Fiji, this species is endangered and faces threats from habitat loss, invasive species, and hunting.
Mount Victoria Rock Gecko (Mniarogekko chahoua): Found only on Mount Victoria in New Caledonia. It is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and collection for the pet trade.
Cropan's Anole (Anolis cropanii): Endemic to a small area in Brazil, this rare anole lizard is critically endangered and faces threats from habitat destruction.