Year in Review: Some reptiles face extinction, while one turns 191 years old

The list of species threatened with extinction has grown by nearly 2,000 new species over the last year, according to a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Called the "Red List," it measures the world's biodiversity. In the case of reptiles, 21% of species are threatened with extinction.

The report warns, 2023 has been critical for global biodiversity, as climate change and human activity threaten wildlife. 

Urbanization is impacting biodiversity worldwide, escalating conflicts and encounters between humans and animals.

In Piscataway Township, New Jersey police officers chased an alligator after receiving 911 calls about the animal, which had been roaming the neighborhood for two weeks. 

As researchers caution thousands of animals are at risk of extinction, the reptile community experienced a rare birth in December 2023.

A Leucistic alligator hatched at the Gatorland reptile park in Florida. 

They are the rarest genetic variation in the American alligator and different than albino alligators, which have pink eyes and a complete loss of pigment.

There are only seven Leucistic alligators in the world and three of them are living at Gatorland. 

Meanwhile, a cafe in Malaysia is encouraging more people to get interested in reptiles.

The cafe houses reptiles bred and collected by the owner, giving visitors a chance to interact with them while enjoying their favorite desserts. 

This year also saw the world's oldest turtle turn 191 years old.

Jonathan is the oldest Seychelles giant tortoise and has lived on the remote island of Saint Helena in the Atlantic Ocean since 1882.

He is also the oldest chelonian, a type of reptile class, ever recorded.

Experts say Jonathan is still healthy and could live up to the year 2132.

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