The major threat to this species is its hunting for illegal trade driven by the belief that the oil extracted from its tail is a cure for impotency and as a natural aphrodisiac
The Indian spiny-tailed lizard (Saara hardwickii) is under threat from poaching despite the fact that the species is listed as protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. According to a research paper published in Indian Forester, the oil from the lizard’s reserve fat glands is believed to be an aphrodisiac. Researchers say this is a major cause for the poaching of the species. It is listed as Vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, CITES Appendix II.
Threats To The Species
“The major threat to this species is its hunting for illegal trade and for local consummation, driven by the belief that the oil extracted from its tail has some medicinal uses, especially in the treatment of impotency and as a natural aphrodisiac. Its meat is also considered a delicacy in the few regions which further aggravates its exploitation,” the researchers wrote in their paper.
While the poaching of this species is apparently rampant, the researchers noted that just three article shave been published in the mainstream media detailing the capture of poachers of these reptiles.
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The researchers conducted a four month survey and interviewed 18 people familiar with the poaching, out of 121 people contacted. They were between the ages of 20 and 70. Most were farmers or wood gatherers, goat herders, waiters, or factory workers. Ten of the 18 respondents said they had seen, been a part of or knew someone in their household who hunted the lizard. Six had been involved in hunting in the past six months.
The poachers set simple noose traps or dig out existing burrows to capture the lizard. The poachers also pelt the lizards with rocks as they are out basking in the sun.
Once the lizards are captured, the poachers break their backbones to restrict their movement. They are then packed into PVC pipes to further restrict their movement during transit and to keep them straight. This helps to keep them from being noticed by authorities during inspection. The poached reptiles are then moved via bus and train and then they are transported via ship to Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.
Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard Information
The Indian spiny-tailed lizard, known as the Hardwicke’s spiny-tailed lizard is in the family Agamidae. it was originally placed in the genus Uromastyx, but was moved to the genus Saara in 2009. It is closely related to S. asmussi and S. loricata. It inhabits dry desert areas of the northern plains of India into Pakistan, from Uttar Pradesh to Rajasthan in the West. it is also found in Kachchh in Gujarat. They have a similar look to the uromastyx that is found in the pet trade. It has a spiny tail and a round head with a flat nose. It is brownish yellow, sandy or olive in coloration, which varies depending on the seasons. The males can reach 16 to 19 inches in total length while the females grow 13 to 16 inches. the males have longer tails.
The complete paper, “A Tale of Agony of Spiny-tailed lizard: Conservation, Poaching and Trade Dynamics in Western Rajasthan, India” can be read in PDF format on the ResearchGate website.
