Look at the lizard, which was just discovered, and it is already on the verge of extinction

The Kaputar rock skink (Egernia roomi) is believed to have one of the smallest reptile habitats in New

South Wales - on the top of one extinct volcano, Mount Kaputar.

The existence of this mysterious skink (viewlizards) was unofficially known for decades, and last August this species was finally scientifically described. But, months later, he may already be threatened with extinction.

At the end of last year, forest fires entered more than half of the Egernia roomi habitat. Scientists are still not sure how this will affect his survival, but the prospects are most favorable.

The skink cliffs of Kaputar are a beautiful lizard, usually about 10 centimeters in length, with dark chocolate brown and gray scales and an orange belly.

Narrow cliff on top of a mountain, over 1300 metersabove sea level, has become home to this species. High elevations are colder than the surrounding plains, which is ideal for this cool-looking view. But its tiny habitat means that it is very vulnerable. When danger appears, the lizards from the cliff of Kaputar have nowhere to go.

Last October and October forest firespassed through the Nandevar ranges. They reportedly burned over 17,000 hectares of shrubbery. It is believed that more than half of the skinks inhabited there burned.

Expert Group Advising Federalthe forest fire restoration government has named this lizard id as one of 119 heavily damaged species requiring urgent conservation intervention. But the distant habitat of the skinks, coupled with the limitations of COVID-19, did not allow scientists to assess the degree of damage.

It is likely that many skinks from Kaputar died during the fires themselves, although the scientific community hopes that some of the lizards survived by penetrating deep into the stone cracks.

But even after the cessation of fires, the threat to the existence of the species remains. Loss of vegetation can make skinks more vulnerable - they cannot get enough food.

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