Australia’s ‘earless dragon’ faces extinction due to climate change
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Australia’s grassland earless dragon, a critically endangered species, is facing extinction due to climate change and habitat destruction. In 2019, scientists counted hundreds of grassland earless dragons in the wild, but this year they found only 11. The lizard, which measures about the size of a US$1 bill when fully grown, lacks an external ear opening and functional eardrum. Australia has four species of earless dragons, with three being critically endangered and the fourth being endangered. Without conservation efforts, the critically endangered dragons are likely to be extinct in the next 20 years. Climate change, invasive plants and animals, and habitat destruction have pushed Australia’s native species to the brink, with about 100 unique flora and fauna species being wiped off the planet in the past 300 years. To save the earless dragons, breeding programs are underway across Australia, including a bio-secure facility in Canberra. The biggest challenge is matchmaking, as female lizards prefer to choose their mates. Scientists must introduce different male lizards to the female until she approves. Genetic analysis is also used to ensure genetic diversity in their offspring. Australia’s alpine grasslands could look vastly different without the lizards, as they play an important role in managing invertebrate populations and aerating the soil. It is important to protect their habitats to ensure the survival of the newly saved lizards.
#Australia #EndangeredSpecies #ClimateChange #HabitatDestruction #Conservation