The United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced this week that it may add seven Caribbean lizard species to the US list of endangered species, including two that can be found in this territory.
According to a Tuesday announcement, the agency is seeking “scientific and commercial data and information regarding these species.” In addition to gathering public input, the agency will also “thoroughly evaluate all potential threats to the species” under review.
The decision to add the seven species of skink comes in response to a 2014 petition from the US-based Centre for Biological Diversity, which stated in a press release this week that the review is a step toward keeping the skinks from going extinct.
“The Endangered Species Act can save these skinks,” Collette Adkins, a CBD biologist and lawyer, said in the release. “We can best deal with the habitat loss and invasive predators that threaten to wipe out these skinks by getting them protected under the act.”
The rare skinks were first recognised in a study by Temple University professor Dr. Blair Hedges, who said in a press release that many species in the region are threatened.
“The Caribbean is home to extremely rare animals found nowhere else in the world, but too many are threatened with extinction,” Dr. Hedges said. “I’m glad that the Fish and Wildlife Service is moving these skinks toward Endangered Species Act protection. We need to protect them before it’s too late.”
Scientists say skinks are unique among reptiles because they have placenta and give birth rather than laying eggs. They can grow to eight inches and have round, smooth bodies.
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