Ditmar's Lizard Ecology

Saving Wildlife
Collaborative Programs
Ditmar's Lizard Ecology

Project Ditmars’ collects information such as population density, distribution, diet analysis, habitat use patterns, and reproduction on one of the rarest lizards in the world. This lizard ws rediscovered in 1971 after having been lost to science since 1898. Prior to the onset of this collaborative project there were only 20 specimens that had ever been collected of the species in history. Zoo Miami staff works side by side with locals to determine the status and unlock the basic life history of this elusive lizard. It is currently classified as “Data Deficient” by the IUCN meaning that its actual rarity in the wild is undetermined. Without this information, it cannot be properly protected. It is only found in very specific and highly fragmented habitats in Mexico that are threatened due to mining and habitat loss. Zoo Miami is helping unlock the secrets of this special lizard so that it may be properly evaluated and hopefully it and its habitat protected.