Reptiles

Threatened Reptiles

**Gharial** - //Gavialis gangeticus//

STATUS: CR  The Gharial, indigenous to the Ganges river area in India, is interestingly enough, CRITICALLY endangered. This is surprising because of its lurking tactics and status as a top predator in the region, but nevertheless it is.

Habitat alteration via damming and irrigation have led to seasonal drying of smaller tributaries. Fishing nets also ensnare this elusive species ending in its death. And most strange of all, its eggs are sought out by tribal people for food!

India and Nepal have made an effort to save this species by designated protected areas and restocking them with ones once kept in captivity.

Choudhury, B.C., Singh, L.A.K., Rao, R.J., Basu, D., Sharma, R.K., Hussain, S.A., Andrews, H.V., Whitaker, N., Whitaker, R., Lenin, J., Maskey, T., Cadi, A., Rashid, S.M.A., Choudhury, A.A., Dahal, B., Win Ko Ko, U., Thorbjarnarson, J & Ross, J.P. 2007. //Gavialis gangeticus//. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.1. <[|www.iucnredlist.org]>

**Komodo Dragon**  - //Varanus komodoensis//



STATUS: VU

The only known living "dragon," known for eating man, NOT breathing fire, is at risk of becoming endangered one day. Indonesia is known for mistreating its wonderful species via means of deforestation and the Komodo Dragon is just another to add to the long list. Few conservation efforts exist because of its vicious behavior, but despite that they should save this species from endangerment.

**Leatherback** - //Dermochelys coriacea//

 STATUS: CR  The Leatherback, like many other sea turtles, is infamous for its child abandonment issues. This, along with the eggs' low survival rate make it so much harder for this species to recover.