Keyserling's Wonder Gecko \ Teratoscincus keyserlingii **

Keyserling's Wonder Gecko (Teratoscincus keyserlingii), also known as the Persian Wonder Gecko, is a species native to parts of western Asia, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Globally, it is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but in the UAE, the species is critically endangered due to its highly limited and fragmented habitat, primarily coastal sand dunes in the northwestern region. Major threats include habitat destruction from rapid urban development, damage caused by off-road vehicles, predation by feral cats, and the impacts of climate change. Conservation efforts in the UAE focus on habitat protection, population monitoring, and relocation programs to mitigate the risks posed by human activities, aiming to preserve this unique gecko species within the Arabian Peninsula.

Keyserling's Wonder Gecko plays an important role in its natural ecosystem, especially in the desert and coastal dune habitats where it lives. As a nocturnal insectivore, it helps control populations of insects and other small invertebrates, contributing to the balance of the local food web. Its presence indicates a healthy, undisturbed sandy habitat, making it a valuable species for monitoring ecosystem health. Moreover, as a part of the unique biodiversity of the Arabian Peninsula, preserving Keyserling's Wonder Gecko helps maintain the region’s natural heritage and supports the overall resilience of desert ecosystems against environmental changes.

NOT EVALUATED DATA DEFICIENT LEAST CONCERN** NEAR THREATENED VULNERABLE ENDANGERED CRITICALLY ENDANGERED EXTINCT IN THE WILD EXTINCT
NE DD LC NT VU EN CR EW EX